NASHVILLE, TN - With the season three premiere of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” breaking cable viewing records just a few days ago, the American Red Cross is announcing that they have joined forces with AMC for “The American Red Cross Zombie Blood Drive” – a campaign that runs through October 22.

Designed to put the spotlight on the constant need for blood, an impressive line-up of celebrities like Peter Jackson, The Black Keys, EXTRA’s Maria Menounos, Joel Madden, Mena Suvari, Aisha Tyler, Jimmy Smits, NASCAR’s Kurt Busch and were “zombie-fied” through digital portraits created by “The Walking Dead’s” own special effects make-up guru Greg Nicotero.

“We’re honored to team up with AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ and all of the zombie-fied celebrities to highlight this important cause,” said Regina Raccuglia, Communications Manager for the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds.”

The zombie-fied celebrity pictures will appear in a Public Zombie Announcement (PZA) on AMC and online at the network’s dedicated campaign micro-site, amcgiveblood.com. The PZA reminds viewers to use their brains and give blood. AMC is also organizing a special sweepstakes to thank those who support blood donation through the Red Cross. The grand prize is a visit to the set of “The Walking Dead” in Atlanta, Georgia. Details are available at amcgiveblood.com.

The Season Three premiere of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” airs on October 14.

To find a blood drive near you, please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS

In addition, you may schedule an appointment at the Paducah Donor Center, located at 4635 Falconcrest Drive. Their hours of operation are:
•Monday - 11 am to 6 pm.
•Tuesday - 8 am to 3 pm.
•Please call (270) 442-9141 for Thursday hours
•Friday - 8 am to 3 pm.
•Saturday - 7 am. to 11 am.
•1st, 4th and 5th Sunday 7 am to 11 am.