COD Cares hosts 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' blood drive and Organ Donation Awareness Campaign April 12-30

With many area hospitals having less than a two-day supply of blood available, COD Cares and Versiti Blood Centers of Illinois are teaming up to offer multiple drives throughout the community.

This April, COD Cares and the College of DuPage's Future Physicians and Research Scientists student club invite faculty, staff, students and community members to participate in the annual "Roll Up Your Sleeves" event and donate blood.

In addition, all are welcome to explore other ways to give by joining the national organ donation and bone marrow registries.

"We are pleased to support our community in this COD Cares Roll Up Your Sleeves Blood Drive and Organ Donation Awareness Campaign," said COD President Dr. Brian Caputo. "With such a great need in our district, it is critically important that we help others during such a challenging time. One donation can help save multiple lives."

Partnering with Versiti Blood Centers, from April 12-30, COD Cares offers multiple convenient opportunities to donate blood throughout COD's service district.

Locations include the college's Glen Ellyn campus, Warrenville Dental Group, Park View Elementary School, the Morton Arboretum, Naperville 95th Street Library, Cantigny and Mariano's locations in Aurora, Bloomingdale, Elmhurst and Westmont.

Individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccination are eligible to donate blood after a 30-day waiting period. Visit cod.edu/sleeves for details on eligibility and to make an appointment.

For those who wish to make a monetary donation, individuals also can support Versiti's life-saving mission by donating to the Blood Research Institution Foundation.

Discussing the importance of joining the national organ donation and bone marrow registries, on Tuesday, April 13, COD Cares will host "To Save and Heal: Our Natural Hidden Power."

The live webinar features COD interim dean of health sciences and Coronavirus Task Force chair Dilyss Gallyot; assistant professor in the ophthalmic technician program Mitzi Thomas; and Dr. Christina Barriteau, medical director of the blood bank and physician of hematology and oncology at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Additionally, COD alumna Katie Adduci will give an update on her son, Max, who, after receiving his mom's kidney as an infant, has recieved several blood transfusions in his young life.

Those who donate blood at any of the official "Roll Up Your Sleeves" drives receive a $10 e-gift card from Versiti, emailed within 48 hours of donation, to use at select merchants for online purchases.

COD student club officers who donate blood and/or schedule at least one donation appointment for a friend will receive recognition as a Leader for Life. Participation in this professional development program through Versiti earns volunteer hours and a letter of recognition. Contact the Future Physicians and Research Scientists Club at syeds1283@dupage.edu with questions.

For more information about this year's COD Cares "Roll Up Your Sleeves," visit cod.edu/sleeves.