Donors needed to ensure blood available over Labor Day weekend

Heartland Blood Centers is asking residents to "donate early and donate often" in preparation for historically low blood collections over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

"As Labor Day approaches, many donors are preparing to enjoy the last of summer activities and do not take the time to donate," stated Katie Freeman, manager of donor recruitment. "Unfortunately, patients are unable to take a vacation from needing lifesaving blood! Blood still has to be there when it is needed."

"We will need to see 7,000 donors between now and Sept. 10 to supply the 71 hospitals we serve with the blood they will need! That's a lot of people!," Freeman continues. "In an emergency, it is the lifesaving blood that is already on the shelf that will be used first."

To help residents fit donating into their end of summer plans, Heartland has expanded Labor Day hours from Sept. 1-8.

Visit www.heartlandbc.org for expanded hours and to schedule an appointment.

As a thank you, Sept. 1-10, dedicated donors will receive an additional 600 Warm Hearts Club Points, equivalent to a $10 gift card in their online store and a fun election-inspired T-shirt.

To further the lifesaving mission, those who donate a second time between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 will receive a second, limited edition, long-sleeved T-shirt commemorating their donation.

"In true Chicago style, we're encouraging area residents to donate early and donate often to help save lives," said Amy Smith, director of donor recruitment for Heartland. "It's always difficult to predict exactly how much a hospital may need when faced with an influx of surgical or trauma patients."

Heartland asks that all healthy and eligible donors of all blood types visit one of the 13 donor centers or mobile blood drives. Call (800) 7TO-GIVE (800) 786-4483, visit www.heartlandbc.org or text APPT to 444-999 to schedule.

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 W. Route 38, Unit 1E;

• Highland, Ind., 2126 45th St.;

• Joliet, 121 Springfield;

• Naperville, 1297 S. Naper Blvd. (Market Meadows Shopping Center);

• Tinley Park, 16100 Centennial Circle;

• Westmont, 6317 S. Fairview;

• Winfield, 27W281 Geneva Road;

• Yorkville, 728 Veterans Pkwy., Suite 112

For more information about Heartland or how to donate blood, visit heartlandbc.org or call (800) 7 TO-GIVE.

Heartland Blood Centers, established in 1943, is a nonprofit, independent blood center serving the Greater Chicago area and Northwest Indiana. They provide service to 71 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.