We rarely post press releases in toto, but this is important. This cold, nasty weather has done more than close schools and businesses, it’s also cancelled blood drives. This means that Chicagoland hospitals are dangerously low, and that means many lives are in danger.
The Heartland Blood Centers explains this better than I do:
Heartland Blood Centers is asking for immediate blood donations, as bad weather across the area continues to negatively impact the blood supply. According to Heartland Blood Centers CEO Dennis Mestrich, approximately 2,000 units of blood have been lost in January due to the severe temperatures and an increase in illness related cancellations. Included in this number was the cancellation of some 21 mobile blood drives.
To meet the needs of the 49 hospitals served by Heartland Blood Centers, almost 600 units of blood are needed every day. In order to rebuild the blood inventories that have been so greatly impacted by the adverse conditions, we are pleading for healthy community members to reschedule their cancelled appointments and all other eligible blood donors to make an appointment as soon as possible. Please call 1-800-786-4483 or go online at www.heartlandbc.org. Every donation is valuable and appreciated.
To be a blood donor, individuals must be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. If you are someone that has been considering donating blood, please call today…we need you!
Please call 1-800-786-4483 or visit www.heartlandbc.org to schedule your blood donation. It could mean the difference between life or death.
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