Make Mother's Day special: Give the gift of life

Next blood drive in Lincoln on May 7         

[May 02, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Blood transfusions are needed every day by a variety of people in local hospitals. Cancer patients, trauma victims, surgical patients and even mothers in maternity wards may need lifesaving transfusions. Citizens from throughout the area, including members of all churches, are asked to help their local hospitals, and area moms who may be in the hospitals, by donating blood. To help, Immanuel Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive on Monday at the Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo in Lincoln. The hours of the blood drive are noon-6 p.m. For your convenience, please call Tara toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 56, to sign up, or schedule online at www.cicbc.org.

The Springfield Clinic High School Challenge is under way. Donate blood at this blood drive and ask that your donation credit Lincoln Community High School or a high school in your community participating in the challenge. The challenge goes through May 11, and the winning school receives $1,000 scholarship from Springfield Clinic to award to a graduating senior who plans on furthering his or her education.

Most people assume that hospitals will always have the blood they need for their patients. People need blood transfusions to stay alive, and it comes only from people who are able and willing to take the time to donate. It takes only an hour, but the benefits last a lifetime. The time in the blood donation chair is only about five to 10 minutes. To make blood donations more enjoyable, donors are asked to bring a friend. Donating together with a friend or relative is a tremendous experience.

For more information about donating blood or sponsoring a blood drive, please call the Central Illinois Community Blood Center toll-free at 1-866-GIVE BLD (1-866-448-3253). For information about blood drives, blood facts, blood types and other information, please visit www.cicbc.org. You can schedule an appointment online to donate blood.

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a not-for-profit organization that supplies blood to 19 local hospitals in central and southern Illinois.

Effective May 1, the donor room at the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1134 S. Seventh St. in Springfield, will offer new hours for blood donations: Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Please note that platelet donation hours will remain the same.

[Text from news release received from Central Illinois Community Blood Center]