SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (WBC/DANA COMM.) —- The need for blood does not slow down for a pandemic or take a holiday. The American Red Cross needs your donations – your blood donations. Withers Broadcasting and Dana Communications have teamed up with the Red Cross for their annual Holiday Blood Drive on Monday December 7th.

Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois CEO, Celena Roldan says they are now testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies and that will help identify individuals that can give plasma for possible treatments.

All donations need to be scheduled to keep proper social distancing and blood centers are fully equipped to safely conduct donations.

You can donate at one of three locations across southern Illinois during the Holiday Blood Drive; the American Legion Post 141 in Mt. Vernon, Veterans Airport in Marion, and the American Legion Hall in Nashville.

Visit redcrossblood.org to make your appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.