National Blood Donor Month Brings Drives to Chicago Area

Submitted by The American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a lifesaving commitment to donate blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply in the new year, beginning in January with National Blood Donor Month.

Britton Lund made her first blood donation as a high school student. Though it was easy and she knew her type O negative blood was in high demand, she only gave sporadically over the next 10 years. Then, her sister was diagnosed with brain cancer, motivating Lund to become a regular donor. “I will continue to give until they tell me I can’t anymore,” she said. “It is a quick, easy way to make a difference.”

National Blood Donor Month highlights the importance of volunteer blood and platelet donors like Lund and their impact on patient healthcare. National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. Severe winter weather may result in canceled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can cause donors to be temporarily unable to give.

Blood donors of all types are needed to maintain a sufficient supply. Eligible donors with types O, B negative and A negative blood are encouraged to donate double red cells where available.

During a double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Winnetka
1/16/2016: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Avenue

Chicago
1/18/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago

Lisle
1/18/2016: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Benedictine University- Kindlon hall, 5700 College Road

Chicago
1/19/2016: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago

Saint Anne
1/19/2016: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Anne Grade School, 333 S St. Louis Ave

Chicago
1/20/2016: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Chicago Union Station, 500 W Jackson Blvd
1/20/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chicago Union Station, 500 W Jackson Blvd

Oak Brook
1/20/2016: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Oak Brook Drake Hotel, 2301 York Road
1/20/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Oak Brook Drake Hotel, 2301 York Road

Chicago
1/21/2016: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Newberger Hillel Center, 5715 South Woodlawn

Evanston
1/21/2016: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Norris Hall, 1999 Campus Drive

Bourbonnais
1/21/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Drive

Chicago
1/22/2016: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cook County Building, 118 North Clark Street

Palatine
1/24/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Palatine, 800 East Palatine Road

Chicago
1/25/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rush University Medical Center, 1650 West Harrison Street
1/25/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., DePaul University Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield

Round Lake
1/26/2016: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Rd

Bourbonnais
1/28/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Drive

Evanston
1/29/2016: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Northwestern University - Phi Kappa Psi, 2247 Sheridan

Bourbonnais
1/29/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bourbonnais Fire Department, 1080 Armour Rd.

Chicago
1/30/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Third Baptist Church of Chicago, 1551 W. 95th St.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.