Flu Season Leaves Local Blood Stock Short

Blood Drives in Lincoln Scheduled on Saturday and Monday

[February 15, 2008]  Because many donors have been unable to give due to winter colds and the flu viruses, the CICBC blood supply is less than a two-day supply on most blood types. If you are feeling well and healthy and saving someone's life interests you, please donate blood and bring a friend with you.

On Saturday, the Movie Gallery, located at 616 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln, is hosting a blood drive on the CICBC bloodmobile in support of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. The blood drive welcomes community members to help from noon until 4 p.m.

And, on Monday, Jefferson Street Christian Church, located at 1700 N. Jefferson St., is hosting a blood drive as well. This blood drive welcomes community members to help from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment for either blood drive, please contact Tara Matheson toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 56, or sign up online at www.cicbc.org (Saturday appointments; Monday appointments).

CICBC is the blood supplier to 19 Illinois hospitals, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, along with St. John's Hospital and Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Donate blood at any CICBC blood drive and credit your donation to Lincoln Community High School or your favorite participating high school in this year's Springfield Clinic High School Blood Challenge. Just let the registration staff know. The winning school will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be given to a graduation senior who plans to further their education.

You can't donate if:

• You weigh less than 110 pounds.

• You've had a tattoo in the last year.

• You've donated within the last 56 days (eight weeks).

• You're taking an antibiotic for an infection.

• You're taking blood thinner.

*Most medications are acceptable, as long as they are regulating the condition for which the medication was prescribed. If you have questions related to your medication and blood donation, call a nurse toll free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253).

You can donate if:

• You've been free of cancer for five years after treatment completed with no recurrence (except these certain types: leukemia, lymphomas and melanoma).

• You are 17 years or older (16 years with a signed parental consent form).

• You are feeling well and healthy.

• You bring your donor card or your driver's license.

• You are willing to save the life of an area patient who needs blood.

If you have any questions on blood donation, please feel free to contact Tara Matheson, Central Illinois Community Blood Center donor recruiter, at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 56; 217-753-1530, ext. 56; cell phone [phone]; or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Central Illinois Community Blood Center]