Above / HBC facing a critical blood need heading into the Fourth of July holiday. Thanks for making arrangements to donate today. (PN File Photo)
Aurora, Ill. – June 27, 2018 – Heartland Blood Centers (HBC), part of Versiti, is reaching out to the community with an emergency appeal for blood donors. Due to lower than normal donations at the start of the summer season, donations are at a critically low level heading into the Fourth of July holiday. HBC is calling on hero blood donors to donate today and help patients in need.
In Naperville, the Heartland Blood Center is located at 1297 S Naper Blvd. in Market Meadows Shopping Center. To set up an appointment, call (630) 428-3632.
Supplies are low now… need is highest in summer
Looking ahead to the donation appointments during the Fourth of July holiday week, HBC is projecting that they will have less than a half-day supply of all blood types. Typically, they prefer to have a two to three-day supply of life-saving blood needed to treat patients in the community.
While the need is at its highest during the summer, donations are at their lowest. People postpone donations due to vacation plans, and with school out for the summer, blood centers also without the generous donations from high school and college blood drives.
As part of their life-saving mission, Heartland Blood Centers must ensure that blood is available for all of those in need. HBC is able to serve 71 hospitals across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana because of its blood donors who strengthen the health of patients battling cancer and those undergoing surgery. Patients in emergency situations also tend to rise during summer and recent natural disasters and other unforeseen tragedies highlight the critical need for blood of all types, especially type O negative which can be safely given to all patients.
”We rely on volunteer blood donors for this precious, life-saving resource. During this critical time of the year, giving blood is a unique way to honor the legacies of loved ones and make a difference in our community. It’s donations that are made today that will help save the lives of people tomorrow,” says Alex Carterson, M.D., Ph.D., Heartland Blood Centers Medical Director and Site Lead.
Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment today at any of HBC’s 13 permanent donor centers or at one of our community blood drives by calling 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483) or going online at versiti.org/Illinois.
Heartland Blood Centers since 1943…
Heartland Blood Centers, part of Versiti, is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Aurora, Ill., that specializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support. Founded in 1943, Heartland is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Heartland operates 13 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit versiti.org.
Story and photo submitted by Matt Queen for Heartland Blood Centers.
