Although the leaves are changing colors and the temperatures are dropping, the need for blood remains a constant and the American Red Cross requests donors during its Give Something That Means Something drive through December.

The promotional drive — which runs through Dec. 31 — gives each Red Cross blood or platelet donor a chance to win a $1,000 American Express gift card.

“Donating blood is an opportunity for people to give the most important gift of all, the gift of life,” said Tim Ryerson, chief executive officer of the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross depends on the generosity of volunteer donors to meet the needs of patients in our area and across the country.”

The region needs nearly 600 people to donate blood products each weekday to meet the demands of hospitals in the area. People can help donate at these upcoming local drives:

n Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 415 Audubon Drive in Paducah.

n Nov. 6, noon to 4 p.m. at Myers Lumber Company, 408 Broadway in Mayfield.

n Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Livingston Hospital Health Care Services, 131 Hospital Drive in Salem.

n Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walmart, 1225 Paris Road in Mayfield.

n Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m. at Woodmen of the World Benton, at 100 S. Poplar St. in Benton.

n Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m. at Calvert City Civic Center, at 1445 Fifth Ave. Southeast in Calvert City.

n Nov. 13, Noon to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 115 Second St. in Fulton.