Schaumburg Library to Hold Blood Drive in August

A blood drive will be held from Noon to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, in the Rasmussen Room of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg. Donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of Culver's Frozen Custard. They will additionally receive a $10 electronic gift card redeemable at more than 100 online retailers when they share their email address.

The library is once again joining forces with Vitalant (formerly LifeSource) to help replenish dangerously low blood supplies. Register by calling Vitalant at (877) 258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and use group code J94. Walk-ins are also welcome but may have to wait. Donors should bring a photo ID and drink plenty of fluids (such as juice or water) early in the day to increase blood flow.

Potential donors must meet the following criteria: weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good physical health, be at least 17-years-old (there is no upper age limit), and have not given blood in the past eight weeks (56 days).

Every two seconds, someone needs blood in the United States. Almost 50 percent of the blood needed to service the region comes from mobile blood drives like the one taking place at the library.

Blood transfusions are used to treat cancer, car accident victims, hip replacements, liver transplants, anemia, ulcers and more. Those who have questions about blood donations can find many answers at vitalant.org.