Donors urged to help the Red Cross maintain blood supply

Posted January 30, 2018 10:00 pm

Severe winter weather, flu disrupting blood donations

Submitted by American Red Cross

ILLINOIS (Feb. 5, 2018) - Winter storms and the flu don't just mean a lot of people are missing work and school - it also means they can't keep their American Red Cross blood and platelet donation appointments. The Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need.

In 2018, severe winter weather forced about 600 blood drives to cancel, resulting in more than 17,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations. And, widespread flu across the U.S. has resulted in lower turnout at blood drives.

Blood and platelet donations are needed in the coming days to help replenish the blood supply and ensure patients continue to receive lifesaving treatments. Donors can help even more patients when they invite a loved one, friend or co-worker to give with them.

Make an appointment to donate this winter by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 16-28:

Cook

Arlington Heights

2/15/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Northwest Community Hospital, 800 W. Central Rd

Chicago

2/11/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Alphonsus Church, 1429 W Wellington Ave

2/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive

2/15/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kendall College, 900 North Branch

2/19/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Catholic Theological Union, 5416 S. Cornell Ave

2/20/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., DePaul University Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield

2/22/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Regis Hall, 6340 N. Winthrop Ave

2/23/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., InterContinental Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, 505 N. Michigan

2/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street

2/27/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., DePaul University Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield

Glenview

2/18/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chicago Harley-Davidson, 2929 Patriot Blvd

Indian Head Park

2/17/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roofers Local 11, 7045 Joliet Road

Maywood

2/6/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Loyola University Center for Fitness, 2160 S. First Ave, Loyola Center for Fitness

3/1/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Loyola University Center for Fitness, 2160 S. First Ave, Loyola Center for Fitness

Palos Hills

2/21/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Building H, 9000 W. College Pkwy

River Forest

2/5/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., River Forest West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 North Harlem

DuPage

Carol Stream

3/5/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Jay Stream Middle School, 283 El Paso Lane

Roselle

2/5/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Clarke, 159 N Garden Ave

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