Wheaton’s Gary UMC to host Aug. 19 blood drive amid critical summer shortage

Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton is hosting a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the church, 224 N. Main St. You can register at garychurch.org/registrations. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Versiti, the blood drive administrator, says blood donations have declined by approximately 11% since Memorial Day, and July marked the lowest collection month in the past four years across Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

During June and July alone, Versiti was nearly 15,000 appointments behind the level needed to help support local patient care.

Versiti says every day, approximately 1,500 blood donations are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients throughout our community.

As families enjoy the final weeks of summer, prepare for back-to-school, and make Labor Day travel plans, donor participation naturally decreases — making every appointment and every blood drive even more important.

Versiti says although about 38% of the population is eligible to give blood, less than 5% do. And, for every pint donated, up to three lives can be saved.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, Gary UMC will host “Worship in the Park” at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. On Sundays, Aug. 23 to Sept. 6, the church offers summer worship at 9 a.m., including Kids’ Church. At 10 a.m. there’s a coffee fellowship hour, plus the chapel is available for prayer and reflection.

Starting Sept. 13, the church will restart its second service at 11:11 a.m., along with Sunday school for all ages between services. For more information, go to garychurch.org or contact the church office at office@garychurch.org.