Emergency Blood Shortage In IL, Donations Wanted At Aurora Center

AURORA, IL — Illinois is in the midst of an emergency blood shortage and donors are urgently needed, blood donation center officials said Monday.

Versiti Blood Center of Illinois has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations due to a dangerously low blood supply. Certain blood types have less than a day's worth of availability, officials said, endangering the lives of local patients. Summer donations have plummeted to critical levels, with over 4,963 appointments missed in the past month alone.

All blood types are needed, with O-positive and O-negative being the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while O-negative blood is the universal type that can be safely received by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown.

In Aurora, Versiti operates a center at 1200 N. Highland Ave.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 800-786-4483 or online at versiti.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.

"We know summer is a challenging time for blood donation, and we plan for it every year, but what we see today is dire," said Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti. "Patients’ lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we are pleading with you to donate blood this week.”

Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone aged 16 or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.