Find a Blood Drive Near You in Coming Weeks and Help Save a Life

Submission by the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make a lifesaving commitment to donate blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply in the new year, beginning in January with National Blood Donor Month.

Britton Lund made her first blood donation as a high school student. Though it was easy and she knew her type O negative blood was in high demand, she only gave sporadically over the next 10 years. Then, her sister was diagnosed with brain cancer, motivating Lund to become a regular donor.

“I will continue to give until they tell me I can’t anymore,” she said. “It is a quick, easy way to make a difference.”

National Blood Donor Month highlights the importance of volunteer blood and platelet donors like Lund and their impact on patient healthcare. National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. Severe winter weather may result in canceled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can cause donors to be temporarily unable to give.

Blood donors of all types are needed to maintain a sufficient supply. Eligible donors with types O, B negative and A negative blood are encouraged to donate double red cells where available. During a double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

• Jan. 16: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka
• Jan. 18: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago in Chicago
• Jan. 18: 2 p.m., Benedictine University- Kindlon hall, 5700 College Road in Lisle
• Jan. 19: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago in Chicago
• Jan. 19: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Anne Grade School, 333 S St. Louis Ave. in Kankakee
• Jan. 20: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Chicago Union Station, 500 W Jackson Blvd. in Chicago
• Jan. 20: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chicago Union Station, 500 W Jackson Blvd. in Chicago
• Jan. 20: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Oak Brook Drake Hotel, 2301 York Road in Oak Brook
• Jan. 20: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Oak Brook Drake Hotel, 2301 York Road in Oak Brook
• Jan. 21: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Newberger Hillel Center, 5715 South Woodlawn in Chicago
• Jan. 21: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Norris Hall, 1999 Campus Drive
• Jan. 21: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Drive in Bourbonnais
• Jan. 22: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cook County Building, 118 North Clark Street in Chicago
• Jan. 24: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Palatine, 800 East Palatine Road in Palatine
• Jan. 25: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rush University Medical Center, 1650 West Harrison Street in Chicago
• Jan. 25: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., DePaul University Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield in Chicago
• Jan. 26: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road in Round Lake
• Jan. 28: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Drive in Bourbonnais
• Jan. 29: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Northwestern University - Phi Kappa Psi, 2247 Sheridan in Evanston
• Jan. 29: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bourbonnais Fire Department, 1080 Armour Road in Bourbonnais
• Jan. 30: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Third Baptist Church of Chicago, 1551 W. 95th St. in Chicago