Fire chief concerned about lack of blood donations

Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko was among a collection of officials from across the state Tuesday voicing a concern about the harsh winter causing a drop in blood donations.

"Trauma and all the different things we need blood for don't take a holiday and don't care about whether it's cold outside," he said.

Donors, though, have been affected by the cold and fewer are donating.

The Chicago area needs more than 1,000 units of blood a day. A unit of blood is just under a pint.

Sashko made the request at a Springfield news conference with Republican state Reps. Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn and Kay Hatcher of Yorkville, as well as blood center officials from across the state.

Heartland Blood Centers has 15 suburban locations where people can donate. See www.heartlandbc.org for information. LifeSource has 18 donor centers in the suburbs. Find a list at www.lifesource.org.