30 Minutes, Pint of Blood Could Save a Life: Downtown Joliet Taylor Babec Blood Drive

From the Will County State's Attorney's Office:

JOLIET, IL — WJOL morning man Scott Slocum will join 14-year-old cancer survivor Taylor Babec for the live broadcast of a Community Blood Drive during which Heartland Blood Centers will formally unveil her picture on the side of one of its mobile coaches.

The Taylor Babec Community Blood Drive is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, 121 N. Chicago St., directly across from the Rialto Square Theatre. WJOL and Slocum will broadcast live throughout the morning.

Anyone who works in or plans to visit downtown Joliet is strongly encouraged to take 30 minutes to donate blood after joining Heartland Blood Centers and State’s Attorney James Glasgow for a mobile coach unveiling ceremony at 8:15 a.m. In addition, Heartland and the state’s attorney will serve cake and refreshments to celebrate with Taylor, who is marking her sixth anniversary of living cancer free.

Taylor is one of several children whose picture is featured prominently on a Heartland mobile coach. Taylor was diagnosed with lymphoma when she was only 5. During her three-year recovery, she required intensive chemotherapy treatments and 22 blood transfusions that would revive both her physical energy and her spirits.

Taylor’s mother, Jennifer Babec, continues to give back to the community by coordinating local blood drives in her daughter’s name. Glasgow has been proud to partner with Jennifer, Taylor and Heartland for the past four years.

“Jennifer and her family struggled through difficult times during Taylor’s diagnosis and recovery,” Glasgow said. “This remarkable mother noticed how her daughter would bloom like a flower when she received transfusions. I am happy to celebrate Taylor’s sixth anniversary of living cancer free. And I am glad her mom gives back to our community by coordinating blood drives so other children who struggle through cancer treatments have a chance to bloom.”

There are incentives to donate blood on June 23:

• Heartland will give away a coupon redeemable for a free pint of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream to all donors.
• Glasgow will donate a $100 Target gift card and two $50 Target gift cards for the blood drive. Everyone who donates on Thursday will be entered into a raffle for a chance to receive one of the cards at the end of the drive. Winners need not be present at the drawing.
• Finally, Will County employees and their spouses who donate will receive one health insurance Wellness Point.

Blood donations drop significantly during summer months due to vacations and summer closings of local high schools and colleges. Twenty five percent of Heartland’s blood supply comes from school drives. TheJune 23 drive will be an opportunity to boost the local supply. Heartland is the sole provider of blood and blood products for Silver Cross Hospital and Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Appointments guarantee you will move quickly through the process and can be made by calling Jennifer Babec at 815-325-4282, or by visiting Heartland Blood Centers online at www.heartlandbc.org. Walk-in donors also will be welcomed.