Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Long-time Red Cross volunteer to be honored with blood drive
STREATOR, Ill. (July 14, 2016) — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Inez Heusel at a special blood drive held in her honor on Thursday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church.
Inez was a long-time Red Cross supporter in the community of Streator, Ill. She volunteered for more than 20 years, working at blood drives nearly every first and third Thursday every month, each year. She also donated blood when her health permitted. Inez, who had high blood pressure, died in July 2014 after suffering two strokes.
“We had a blood drive a few weeks after mom died in July of 2014, and another memorial drive last summer,” said Gary Heusel, son of Inez. “Many people who came to donate had worked with mom or knew her from volunteer efforts in the community. We knew she was a very giving person, and we are learning about how much she was appreciated by others in the community for her willingness to do whatever was needed to make Streator a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
During the Independence Day holiday, many regular donors postponed giving blood due to vacation plans, further depleting an already low blood supply. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. This drive also comes when the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need.
“Hosting this blood drive in her name is a wonderful way to remember Inez and thank her for her support of the American Red Cross,” said Tracy Fox, market manager for the American Red Cross.
Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
To learn more about blood donation, including information about eligibility to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you were deferred from donating in the past, you may be able to donate again.
Donate Blood in memory of Inez Heusel (Streator Community Drive)
Thursday, July 21
9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
204 S. Monroe St., Streator, Ill.
To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental consent 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.
Blood donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started, 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 percent 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, cruzrojaamericana.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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