Blood drive at Faith Lutheran Church on Wednesday

[JULY 7, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Ah, summertime is here. There is more sunshine, more time to relax, more fun outside and, yes, a bigger demand for blood. Historically, blood usage is up and donations are down in the summer. People are traveling and busy with their families, and since high schools are closed there is limited participation from students who provide about 15 percent of the blood supply annually.

Unfortunately, with more vacation travel come more auto accidents that involve patients who may require blood. With the increased use of blood over the holiday weekend, blood centers need to restock the hospital shelves. Please take an hour of your time and donate blood.

The next opportunity to donate in Lincoln with Central Illinois Community Blood Center will be from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Lutheran Church, 2320 N. Kickapoo St. Call Pat Benson at 735-4837 to sign up. Walk-ins are always welcome and sincerely appreciated.

Of course, blood transfusions are needed every day by a variety of people in local hospitals. Cancer patients, surgical patients, and even mothers and babies in maternity wards may need lifesaving transfusions. So please, become a regular blood donor. It takes only an hour, but the benefits last a lifetime.

"By donating blood, the average person has the chance to save another person's life," said Lindsay Spears, donor recruiter for the blood center. "What could be more important?"

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is the blood provider for 19 area hospitals in central and southern Illinois. Blood collected by CICBC is intended for local hospitals.

For more information about donating blood or sponsoring a blood drive, please call [phone]. For information about blood drives, blood facts, blood types and other information, please visit www.cicbc.org.

We never know when a family member may be taken to the hospital and need a lifesaving blood transfusion. You can help protect your family, friends and community by taking a few minutes to donate blood. Please give what's in your heart. Donate blood.

[Central Illinois Community Blood Center news release]