Pay Tribute to Veterans by Giving Blood this Veteran's Day Weekend

The American Red Cross is asking people to roll up their sleeves and give blood or platelets this Veterans Day weekend to honor those who have served their country. At the same time, anyone who comes to donate will have the opportunity to sign a card and include a personal message that will become part of the annual American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. 

The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have joined together for Holiday Mail for Heroes, a program through which people can sign holiday cards for members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families. Pitney Bowes will then screen the cards for hazardous materials, and the Red Cross will sort and deliver them to military installations, veterans medical facilities and other locations during the holidays. 

“By giving blood this Veterans Day weekend, donors can pay tribute to those who serve this country” said Shelly Heiden, CEO of Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services Region. “These blood drives will give donors the chance to help hospital patients who need blood, and at the same time, write messages of thanks to veterans and members of the military for their service.”

Veteran’s Day Weekend Blood Drives

ADAMS COUNTY

11/12/2011, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Lutheran Church of St John, 3340 State ST, Quincy

LEE COUNTY

11/11/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Pilot Grove Bank, 516 Main Street, Donnellson

MERCER COUNTY

11/11/2011, 8:00 am- 2:30 pm, Sherrard High School, 4701 176TH, Sherrard

PEORIA COUNTY

11/11/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Elmwood Elementary School, 501 N Morgan, Elmwood

11/11/2011, 6:30 am- 3:00 pm, Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 West John H Gwynn Jr Avenue, Peoria

11/12/2011, 7:30 am-11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 10811 Knoxville Ave, Peoria

11/12/2011, 7:00 am- 2:00 pm, Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 West John H Gwynn Jr Avenue, Peoria

COOK COUNTY

11/13/2011, 7:30 am- 2:00 pm, Old St Pat's Church, 700 West Adams, Chicago

LAKE COUNTY

11/11/2011, 11:00 am- 4:00 pm, Lake Forest Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 660 Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest, IL, Lake

MACON COUNTY

11/11/2011, 8:30 am- 2:30 pm, Warrensburg-Latham High School, 425 West North Street, Warrensburg

EDGAR COUNTY

11/11/2011, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Simonton Windows, 13263 Illinois Highway 133, Paris

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

11/11/2011, 11:30 am- 4:00 pm, OSF Saint James-John W Albrecht Medical Center, 2500 W. Reynolds, Pontiac, IL, Livingston

MCLEAN COUNTY

11/11/2011, 11:00 am- 3:00 pm, Evergreen Village, 1701 Evergreen Village Boulevard, Normal

11/12/2011, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Christ the King Episcopal Church, 1210 South Fell Avenue, Normal

11/12/2011, 7:30 am-11:30 am, Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1 Westport Ct, Bloomington

11/12/2011, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Eastland Chiropractic & Wellness Center, 2406 E. Washington St, Bloomington

LASALLE COUNTY

11/11/2011, 10:30 am- 4:30 pm, Illinois Valley Community Hospital, 925 West Street, Peru

LEE COUNTY

11/11/2011, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm, Amboy High School, 11 E. Hawley Street, Amboy

Approximately every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses, receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. 

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. 

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.