Chicago's Very Own WGN-TV Marks World Blood Donor Day By Hosting LifeSource Blood Drive June 14

On Thursday, June 14, countries across the globe will celebrate World Blood Donor Day, with blood drives and other activities promoting the importance of blood donation and highlighting those whose lives have been saved by this selfless act.

In Chicago, LifeSource will partner with Chicago's Very Own WGN-TV to host a

7 a.m. to 2 p.m. blood drive inside Channel 9's famed Bozo the Clown Studio #1, located at 2501 West Bradley Pl., across from Lane Technical High School.

Donors will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite WGN-TV news anchors and reporters, be treated to complimentary scoops of Culver's frozen custard, and receive commemorative LifeSource keychains.

The blood donation process takes about an hour and is both safe and comfortable.

Donors must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years of age with parental consent).

While walk-ins are always welcome, LifeSource strongly encourages both first-time donors and existing donors of all blood types to visit LifeSource.org and enter code N70, or call (877) 543-3768 to schedule an appointment.

"Patients, their families and the hospitals in the Chicago area that LifeSource serves depend on us to deliver on our promise to provide a safe and ample blood supply," said Eva Quinley, Regional Director of LifeSource. "We are so grateful to WGN-TV for partnering with us on World Blood Donor Day. The decline in blood donation numbers is a repeating theme each summer. We need donors to give blood now to help combat the decline. It only takes about an hour to save up to three lives by giving blood."

For those unable to travel to the Channel 9 studios that day, LifeSource operates 17 Chicago and suburban community donor centers and hosts daily mobile blood drives throughout northern Illinois.

In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver's license or employee badge with a picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor's full name will also be accepted.

"The facts really tell the story and we are encouraging all of our viewers to donate blood that day, either here with us or at a LifeSource community donor center," commented Jennifer Lyons, WGN-TV News Director.

"More than four and a half million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada, with 43,000 pints being used each and every day," added Lyons. "Someone needs blood every two seconds, and while only on 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10 percent do so annually."