Illinois State House District 107 issued the following announcement on June 23.
Blood Drives Coordinated Through the American Red Cross
Rep. Wilhour joins the effort to urged civic groups, churches and organizations that normally host blood drives to remember blood collection is considered an “essential service” and can still take place despite limits on gatherings.
The demand for blood donations has spiked in Illinois due to the return of elective surgeries in May, coupled with a surge of patients who put off needed surgeries for months because of COVID-19 concerns.
According to the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers there are a couple of reasons for the current shortage of blood:
typically 60% of donations come from off-site blood drives, but drives normally hosted by businesses are not being held because employees are still working from home; and
demand for blood has spiked due to the May return of elective surgeries coupled with a surge of patients who put off needed surgeries for months because of COVID-19 concerns.
The Red Cross tests every blood donation for a variety of illnesses. If you donate blood, platelets or plasma on or after June 15, 2020 your donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies at no cost.
Listed below are several opportunities to give blood around the district over the next few weeks. New opportunities are added often. You can find a blood drive nearest you and schedule a time to donate by clicking HERE.
Original source can be found here.
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