Above / In Naperville, Heartland Blood Centers is located at 1297 South Naper Boulevard. During this busy season of giving, young patients want to show special gratitude to all blood donors at a time when donations tend to decrease because of other commitments and travel.
UPDATE, Dec. 21, 2018 / During the holidays, blood donations tend to decline due to increased travel and additional family commitments. Donations of all blood types are needed, but there is an especially great need for O negative donors, who carry the universal blood type given to patients in emergency situations.
Anyone 16 or older who is in general good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes birth date.
Aurora, Ill. – Five-year-old Gia Danninger, along with three other young blood recipients, have created special Heartland Blood Centers holiday cards to thank blood donors for a second chance at life.
Gia was stricken with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease, and received multiple blood and platelet transfusions and a bone marrow transplant to survive.
During Heartland Blood Centers’ Season of Giving, she and her family are asking the community to donate blood and help other patients in need.
“Through your blood donation, you could totally change someone’s world,” said Gia’s mom, Jenna.
During the holidays, blood donations tend to decline due to increased travel and additional family commitments. Through cards of gratitude, four young patients are expressing heartfelt thanks to those who donate and let them know that they are saving lives.
Cards are being presented to donors at all Heartland donor centers and community blood drives beginning Monday, Dec. 10.
Heartland Blood Centers is open seven days in Naperville
Find a Heartland Blood Center located at 1297 South Naper Boulevard, just north of 75th Street, in Naperville. For info, call (630) 428-3632.
Monday: 11:30AM – 7PM
Tuesday: 11:30AM – 7PM
Wednesday: 11:30AM – 7PM
Thursday: 11:30AM – 7PM
Friday: 7AM – 2:30PM
Saturday: 7AM – 2:30PM
Sunday: 7AM – 12PM/Noon
To make an appointment in another community, blood donors can call 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483) or visit versiti.org.
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.
Submitted by Matt Queen, Communication Specialist, for Heartland Blood Centers.
Editor’s Note / Furthermore, a blood donation is a precious gift to charity! If you’re too busy to volunteer, taking a one-time shot at giving blood always fulfills an unmet need, especially if you have a rare blood type and especially during the holiday season. Typically, giving blood takes about an hour if you have an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome, too, but might take a little longer. Thanks for giving.
