Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades
Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty blood bank without any blood on the shelves. Doctors often can’t operate without blood available to make surgeries, medical procedures and treatments possible,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
Cook
Red Cross R Scott Falk Family Blood Donation Center
Rauner Center, 2200 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:15 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:15 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM
Orland Park Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center
15142 South LaGrange Rd. Orland Park, IL 60462
Sunday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Monday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Schaumburg Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center
622 East Golf Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173
Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Berwyn
1/12/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., PAV YMCA, 2947 Oak Park Ave
Chicago
1/9/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Guild Row, 3130 North Rockwell St
1/9/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 814 W Nelson Ave
1/9/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Whirlyball, 1825 W. Webster Ave.
1/10/2024: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lakeshore Sport & Fitness – Illinois Center, 211 N Stetson Ave
1/11/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 120 S. LaSalle, 120 South LaSalle
1/11/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., DePaul University Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield
1/12/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rush University Medical Center, 1520 West Harrison Street
1/15/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Alumunae Inc, 4525 S King Dr
1/17/2024: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive at THE MART, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
1/18/2024: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive at Imani Village, 901 E 95th St
1/21/2024: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St Matthias, 4910 N. Claremont
1/22/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 320 S Canal, 320 S Canal St
1/22/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 333 E Ontario, 333 E Ontario St
1/23/2024: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive
1/23/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., CBRE Lincoln Park, 939 West North Avenue, Suite 850
1/24/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 814 W Nelson Ave
1/24/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Cubs, 1101 W Waveland
1/24/2024: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana Avenue
1/25/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 300 North LaSalle, 300 North LaSalle
1/25/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Cubs, 1101 W Waveland
1/25/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Advocate Trinity Hospital, 2320 E 93rd St
1/26/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Uptown Branch, Chicago Public Library, 929 W Buena Ave
1/29/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr
1/30/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Chicago The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 822 N Clark St
1/30/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Union Station, 225 South Canal St
1/31/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cook County Headquarters, 69 West Washington, Daley Center
Chicago Ridge
1/15/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chicago Ridge Mall, 444 Chicago Ridge Mall
Des Plaines
1/29/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Post 36, 1291 Oakwood Avenue
Evanston
1/12/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Norris University Center, 2311 N. Campus Drive
La Grange
1/24/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post 1941, 900 South La Grange Road
Lincolnwood
1/9/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W Touhy Ave
Oak Lawn
1/22/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Advocate Christ Medical Center, 4440 95th St
Oak Park
1/29/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St,
Park Ridge
1/29/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Advocate Children’s Hospital, 1775 Dempster St
Schaumburg
1/17/2024: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive at Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Chicago, Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 East Golf Road
1/22/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, 700 National Parkway
Tinley Park
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Apple Chevrolet, 8585 W. 159th
1/18/2024: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr
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DuPage
Aurora
1/15/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road
Bartlett
1/14/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Journey of Hope Bartlett Campus, 751 Army Trail Rd.
Downers Grove
1/23/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave
Oak Brook
1/11/2024: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., JVM Realty, 903 Commerce Dr
Wood Dale
1/10/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Rd.
Woodridge
1/30/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Woodridge Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7201 Woodridge Dr.
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Kane
Elgin
1/10/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Advocate Sherman Hospital, 1425 N. Randall Road
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Kane County
1/25/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Journey of Hope Elgin Campus, 37 Highland Ave
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Lake
Barrington
1/11/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W Highway 22
Gurnee
1/31/2024: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Advocate Condell Centre Club Gurnee, 1405 Hunt Club Road
Highland Park
1/11/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road
Lake Zurich
1/18/2024: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive at Foglia YMCA, Foglia YMCA, 1025 N Old McHenry Road
Libertyville
1/31/2024: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Advocate Condell Centre Club Libertyville, 200 W. Golf Road
Round Lake
1/23/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Rd
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
