Donate on World Blood Donor Day June 14
Every year, on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day, raising awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their lifesaving gifts of blood.
Blood is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, lifesaving role in maternal and perinatal care.
Heartland Blood Centers, the leading provider of donated blood in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, serves 75 hospitals and is responsible for collecting more than 200,000 units of blood annually. While Heartland's first commitment is to meet local blood needs, requiring some 600 units of blood to be collected daily, they also participate in a nationwide resource sharing program, standing ready to assist other parts of the country during severe blood shortages, national emergencies and increased demands by the armed services.
The lives and health of millions of people are affected by emergencies every year. In the last decade, disasters have caused more than 1 million deaths, with more than 250 million people being affected by emergencies every year. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and storms create considerable need for emergency health care, while at the same time, often destroying vital health facilities. Man-made disasters such as road accidents and armed conflicts also generate substantial health care demands and the need for front-line treatment.
Blood transfusion is an essential component of emergency health care. Emergencies increase the demand for blood transfusion and make its delivery challenging and complex. Adequate supply of blood during emergencies requires a well-organized blood service, and this can only be ensured by engaging the entire community and a blood donor population committed to voluntary unpaid blood donation throughout the year.
What can you do?
Summer is a difficult time for blood centers with vacations and many other summer activities taking priority.
In honor of World Blood Donor Day, donate blood. If you are not eligible, please invite someone to donate in your place.
Help them ensure that blood is always available for the next emergency!
Scheduling is easy; visit www.heartlandbc.org, call (800) 786-4483 or text APPT to 444-999.
Make an appointment at a mobile blood drive in your area or visit one of the donor locations.
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.