Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
CHICAGO — ABC 7 and the American Red Cross urge the community to give more life by donating blood at the sixth annual ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at four locations, including:
While the Great Chicago Blood Drive has been an annual event for a number of years, this is the first year a location in Munster is included, bringing the blood drive to Indiana. Those who come to donate will receive a free ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive T-shirt, while supplies last.
The winter months can be among the most challenging times of year for the Red Cross to collect enough blood donations. Many donors are busy with holiday activities, and inclement weather can force the cancellation of blood drives. Additionally, some donors become temporarily ineligible because of seasonal illnesses.
Since the inception of The ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive, area donors have provided more than 2,500 donations. Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Patients like Marie Fuesel of Orland Park understand the need for blood. Marie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. She received 98 transfusions of blood and platelets during her treatment and lost all her hair within five days of starting chemotherapy. Since finishing treatment, she is working to start organizing blood drives in her community to help pay it forward for all the blood products she received.
“The blood drive is such a great team effort and every year we have joined forces with the American Red Cross, blood donations have increased and lives have been saved,” said John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7. “That’s something that makes us all very proud.”
There is no substitute for donated blood products. The Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. In 2018, the ABC7 Great Chicago Blood Drive produced the most blood products of any Red Cross single-day blood drive in Illinois.
“We are so humbled to see how the outpouring of support for our community has allowed us to grow this blood drive every year,” said Celena Roldán, regional executive of the Chicago & Northern Illinois Red Cross. “To see so many roll up a sleeve to provide lifesaving blood to the people who need it most during these critical winter months is such a meaningful gift to give this season.”
To help save lives, the Red Cross and ABC 7 are partnering with Assurance, Clear Channel Outdoor, Constellation Brands, Duke Realty, Gallagher, Grainger, iHeartMedia Chicago, Portillos, Univision, and USG Corporation.
To schedule an appointment at this event, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: ABC7Chicago or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: ABC7Chicago or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.