Hinsdale – The Hinsdale
Fire Department will go head-to-head with the Hinsdale Police Department in a
friendly competition to collect blood for the Adventist Hinsdale
Hospital Blood
Center. This annual
lifesaving event will be held throughout October.
Anyone who donates blood during the month of October will have the
opportunity to “vote” for either Hinsdale’s
fire department or
police department. The agency with the most votes will win a pizza party hosted
by the Blood Center.
The blood center is experiencing a critical shortage, and people are urged
to support their local community blood center. Blood collected at Adventist Hinsdale
Hospital is used at all Adventist
hospitals including Adventist Hinsdale, Adventist La Grange Memorial, Adventist
GlenOaks and Adventist
Bolingbrook Hospital.
“We are at a critical low for blood donors,” said Janice Rosacrans, donor
recruiter. “Our local police and firemen put their lives on the line every day.
We can show our support of these heroes by donating blood in their honor.”
Each eligible donor will receive a long sleeved T-shirt as a thank you gift along
with juice and cookies.
“One pint of blood can save up to four lives,” said Julie Bloom, donor
recruiter. “Because the blood we collect stays in the community, a donor may
save the life of a neighbor, friend or family member.”
Donors are eligible to give blood if they are 17 years old or older, or 16
with parent’s permission, weigh more than 110 pounds, are in good health and
have eaten a regular meal within four hours of donating. An individual can
donate every eight weeks. Donors receive mini-physicals prior to donating.
Their blood pressure, temperature and iron levels are checked to ensure their
good health.
In addition to the need for whole blood donors, the blood center is in great
need for platelet donors. Platelets are cells that help a person stop
bleeding; they are used to help patients with cancer and during surgeries such
as open heart cases. For information about platelet donation, call Julie Bloom
at 630-856-7840.
The Adventist Hinsdale
Hospital Blood
Center, 121 N. Elm St., Hinsdale,
is hosting a special blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
The center is open Monday through Friday.
To make an appointment to donate, contact 630-856-7837 or julie.bloom@ahss.org.