Though 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. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fulton County High School, 2740 Moscow Road in Hickman.

n Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall 1418, 106 Picnic Blvd. in Fancy Farm.

n Nov. 18, 8 a.m. to noon at St. John’s Catholic Church, 6705 Old Highway 45 in Lone Oak.

n Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Legion, 211 S. Seventh St. in Mayfield.

n Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Broadway Church of Christ, 2855 Broadway in Paducah.

n Nov. 26, noon to 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 210 S. Washington St. in Clinton.

n Nov. 26, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Kuttawa, Walnut Drive in Kuttawa.