Next Lincoln blood drive set for Monday      

[JAN. 4, 2007]  Celebrate National Blood Donor Month with Central Illinois Community Blood Center by donating the blood and "giving the gift of life." Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months, due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for Central Illinois Community Blood Center to collect blood donations. A reduction in turnout at blood drives can put the blood inventory at a critical low. Remember, it is the blood on the shelves that saves lives.

Your next local opportunity to donate will be on Monday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Masonic Center, 2022 N. Kickapoo. This blood drive is sponsored by the Logan County Shriners.

For your convenience, please call Tara toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), ext. 56, to schedule an appointment, or sign up online at www.cicbc.org. Of course walk-ins are always welcome and sincerely appreciated.

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

If you have not donated in the last 56 days, are at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and meet other donor requirements, you may be eligible to donate blood. Please visit www.cicbc.org to schedule an online appointment or call toll-free, 1-866-GIVE-BLD (1-866-448-3253), if you have any questions about eligibility.

Blood is needed every day in local community hospitals to help save the lives of our family, friends and neighbors. Central Illinois Community Blood Center's mission is to provide blood to your local hospital so blood will be available to patients when and where it is needed.

CICBC supplies blood for patients in 19 hospitals in central and southwestern Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Boyd Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville, Hillsboro Area Hospital in Hillsboro, Hopedale Medical Complex in Hopedale, Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, Pana Community Hospital in Pana, Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, St. Vincent Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, and Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield. These hospitals need your help. Please give what's in your heart and join in the celebration of "giving the gift of life" for National Blood Donor Month by donating blood.

Also, the donor room at the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1134 S. Seventh St. in Springfield, is open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Information about blood drives throughout the area served by the CICBC is available at www.cicbc.org, or call the office at 217-753-1530.

[Central Illinois Community Blood Center news release]