One Tinley Park Blood Drive Helped Save 66 Lives: Versiti

TINLEY PARK, IL — One Tinley Park hosted a blood drive event on Oct. 30 that helped save 66 lives, according to the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois.

One Tinley Park said they hosted the blood drive at to help gather more blood during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event took place at Union Bar & Grill, 17821 80th Ave.

"As blood banks face coronavirus-driven shortages, donating has never been more crucial. The COVID-19 crisis has led to a drastic reduction in blood donations," the organization said.

Versiti thanked One Tinley Park for participating in their first community blood drive. The blood center said 28 donors showed up. Eighteen successfully donated whole blood, two donated double red cells and 22 pints were collected, according to the blood center.

"[This] will help save the lives of 66 local patients through the use of each donor’s red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. 12 donors were first time blood donors with us," the blood center said. "Your donated blood stays local and helps our neighbors in need at hospitals like Franciscan Health, AMITA Health, Silver Cross, and many others."

Versit thanked Mike Glotz, Bill Brady, volunteers, donors, and Union Bar and Grill, for making the event a success. The center invited One Tinley Park to participate in their annual blood program.

"Our blood program helps the blood center appropriately plan donations so that we never have too many or too few come in on any one day." Versiti said. "We can schedule [those who wish to donate] for annual, bi-annual, or quarterly donation rotations to help us meet the needs of our community."

For more information on the blood center, visit their website.