Community Corner
Boots Vs Badges Blood Drive
Four local fire and police departments will go head to head in a friendly “boots versus badges” blood drive.
Anyone who donates blood or platelets between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. May 7-10 at the Adventist Lab Partners Blood Center, 121 N. Elm St., Hinsdale, will have the opportunity to “vote” for their favorite department among the fire and police departments representing Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Oak Brook and Western Springs. The winning department will be treated to a pizza party hosted by the blood center and will have bragging rights for the year.
The blood center is located on the west side of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.
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“There is a critical need for blood donations, especially during this time of year,” said JoEllyn Kish, regional donor recruiter for the Adventist Lab Partners Blood Center. “The men and women from our fire and police departments put their lives on the line every day; the least we can do is donate blood in their honor.”
The regional blood center collects whole blood and platelet donations to support Adventist Bolingbrook, Adventist GlenOaks, Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial hospitals. These four hospitals use close to 1,000 pints of whole blood every month.
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“Our neighbors and friends are the ones benefiting from our donations,” Kish said. “This makes the donation a more personal decision that is much closer to home.”
Whole blood donors are eligible to donate every eight weeks at age 16 with a parental consent, or at age 17 or older with a photo ID. Donors must be in good health, weigh 110 pounds or more and have eaten a good meal and plenty of healthy fluids within four hours of donating. Prior to donation, a mini physical is conducted; it includes a check of blood pressure, temperature and iron level.
Platelets – cells that aid in coagulation – are also in great need. They are used to help stop bleeding in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or during surgeries where blood loss is a concern.
For more information about blood or platelet donation, or to make an appointment to donate, please call 630-856-7804 or email JoEllyn.Kish@ahss.org. The blood center is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m Friday.
