The American Red Cross is teaming up with the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub to host a multi-city blood drive Monday, June 1 from noon to 7 p.m. One of the cities to participate will be Smyrna, TN.

All presenting donors who pre-schedule an appointment will receive a Predators T-shirt (XL), while supplies last. All presenting donors will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $100 Nashville Predators Locker Room Gift Card. One winner will be drawn from each blood drive location and receive the gift card via email within two weeks after their donation. Additionally, all presenting donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card, via email 30 days after their donation on behalf of Amazon*. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the gift cards. *Restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/together.

During the summer, the Red Cross often experiences a drastic decline in new donors and current donors often delay giving due to warm-weather activities and travel, but amid the coronavirus pandemic the need for blood remains constant.

"The Red Cross is adapting to meet the extraordinary challenges of this coronavirus pandemic and fulfill our lifesaving mission to alleviate suffering as we confront an emergency unlike any we have faced in a century," said Garry Allison, regional donor services executive, Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. "The Preds are lifesaving heroes who are playing a critical role in our efforts to maintain a sufficient blood supply by providing multiple opportunities for people to give in their local community. We're grateful for their partnership and support of area hospital patients."

Blood donation is essential to ensuring the health of the community and blood donors of all types are needed at the Nashville Predators drive. As experts have emphasized, there is no certain end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross needs the help of blood donors to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions - including social distancing and face masks for donors and staff - have been implemented to ensure the health of Red Cross donors, employees and volunteers.

Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross Tennessee Region must collect nearly 325 blood donations every day to meet the needs of regional hospital patients.

Nashville Predators Foundation blood donation opportunity in Rutherford County June 1, noon - 7 p.m.
• North Rutherford YMCA, 2001 Motlow College Blvd. Smyrna, TN 37167