'Give Back, Give Blood' over the Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day is an important day in America to give thanks and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to protect our country.
"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." - President Harry S. Truman
Making a blood donation at this time is an extraordinary way to pay homage to the service of men and women who protect and defend our nation. In fact, if you come in to donate at Heartland Blood Centers today through Wednesday, May 31, to support the never-ending cause of keeping up the blood supply, you will receive a $10 Target gift card as a thank you.
According to Amy Smith, director of donor recruitment, "It is so important that blood is on the shelves at all times but especially during a holiday weekend like Memorial Day when it is needed most. Without the generous giving of volunteer blood donors, patients would not have the lifesaving blood they need to fight their health battles."
Please plan on joining others remembering our veterans in this special way by donating blood at any of the mobile drives listed at www.heartlandbc.org in your area or come into one of the 13 donor centers listed below.
• Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the hall at Maple Park American Legion Post 312, 203 Main St.
• Saturday, May 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Heartland mobile coach parked at Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, 4300 E. Wonder Lake Road.
• Sunday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to noon in Rodgers Fellowship Hall at Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. in St. Charles.
• Sunday, May 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Heartland mobile coach parked at Minooka Bible Church, 412 N. Wabena, Minooka.
Visit www.heartlandbc.org for other center's hours and to schedule an appointment.
You are encouraged to schedule right away by calling (800) 786-4483, texting APPT to 444-999 or going online at www.heartlandbc.org.
Heartland Donor Centers include:
• Aurora: 1200 N. Highland Ave.;
• Bloomingdale: 204 Gary Ave.;
• Crystal Lake: 6296 Northwest Hwy.;
• DeKalb: 2428 Sycamore Road;
• Elgin: 1140 N. McLean Blvd.;
• Geneva: 2000 Route 38;
• Highland, Indiana: 2126 45th St.;
• Joliet: 121 Springfield;
• Naperville: 1297 S. Naper Blvd.;
• Tinley Park: 16100 Centennial Circle;
• Westmont: 6317 South Fairview;
• Winfield: 27W281 Geneva Road;
• Yorkville: 728 Veterans Pkwy., Unit 112.
About Heartland Blood Centers
Heartland Blood Centers, established in 1943, is a nonprofit, independent blood center serving the Greater Chicago area and Northwest Indiana. They provide service to 75 hospitals in 12 counties including Kane, McHenry, DeKalb, Will, DuPage, Cook, Grundy, Kendall, Lee, Ogle and LaSalle in Illinois, and Lake County in Indiana. Heartland operates under a volunteer donor system with the goal of collecting more than 160,000 units of blood annually. Heartland's first commitment is to meet local blood needs and 100 percent of blood donated is returned to the communities served by Heartland. As participants in a nationwide resource sharing program, Heartland stands ready to assist other parts of the country during severe blood shortages, national emergencies and increased demands by the armed services. For more information about Heartland or how to donate blood, visit heartlandbc.org or call (800) 7 TO-GIVE.