Local hospitals need help restocking blood supply

[May 31, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Blood donations typically decline during the summer vacation season, especially around the holidays. Many people are out of town and are unable to give blood. Yet the number of trauma cases requiring emergency blood transfusions often rises over the three summer holiday weekends, including Memorial Day weekend. Consequently, area hospitals and the Central Illinois Community Blood Center are asking the public to help by donating blood.

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for area hospitals, First Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a lifesaving blood drive on Monday at the Lincoln Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo in Lincoln. The hours of the blood drive are noon to 6 p.m. For your convenience, please call Tara to sign up toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 56, or schedule an appointment online at www.cicbc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

It takes only an hour to donate blood, but the benefits last a lifetime for someone.

The 2007-2008 Springfield Clinic High School Blood Challenge started May 12, and a graduating senior from the school winning the challenge will receive a $1,000 college scholarship. Donate blood in support of Lincoln Community High School or a participating high school in your community. Until Aug. 20, all donations will give double credit to the specified high school, and all donors will be entered into a drawing for an iPod Nano.

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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 and donate blood.

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides blood to 19 area hospitals. Blood collected at these drives is intended for local hospitals.

The CICBC donor room at 1134 S. Seventh St. in Springfield is open to collect blood on 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.

For more information about donating blood or sponsoring a blood drive, please call 217-753-1530. For more information about blood drives, blood facts, blood types or to schedule an appointment online, please visit www.cicbc.org.

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