The Legacy Continues by Saving Lives at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 12, 2015
For more information contact Amy Smith, Heartland Blood Centers, 630.881.9251
The Legacy Continues by Saving Lives at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show
Aurora, IL – In 1999, Dennis Buckley’s vision of saving lives on the floor of the Chicago Auto Show seemed far-fetched. But now, in its 16th year, the drive is one of the largest open community blood drives in the Chicagoland area. “Heartland Blood Centers is honored and privileged to help continue the legacy that was started by Dennis in 1999”, said Dennis Mestrich, CEO of Heartland Blood Centers. We invite all attendees of the 2015 Chicago Auto Show to join us in our effort to create awareness about the importance of blood donation for the Chicagoland area by rolling up their sleeve to save a life, Mestrich said.
Collecting more than 730 units of blood at last year’s auto show, Heartland is hopeful this year’s turnout will surpass that number, helping to keep a steady supply of blood available, which can be challenging during the winter months. The school cancellations and messy road conditions that followed the subfreezing temperatures in January, coupled with the February blizzard continue to have ramifications for Heartland Blood Centers. “Our hope is that all healthy and eligible individuals will make a commitment at the Auto Show to become regular blood donors and help us keep the local blood supply at adequate levels throughout the year,” said Amy Smith, Director of Donor Recruitment. The donations made by generous blood donors provide hospitals with blood for life-saving transfusions for cancer patients, organ transplants, trauma and accident victims, Smith said.
To ensure transfusion needs are met at all community hospitals, Heartland needs to collect 100 pints each day at the show. All donors who stop and give at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show will receive a limited edition t-shirt created specifically for the show, along with a recycle grocery tote bag. You can find Heartland Blood Centers in the South Exhibit Hall at booth 283. Collection dates and times are as follows:
Saturday, February 14:10am – 8pm
Sunday, February 15: 10am – 8pm
Monday, February 16: 10am – 8pm
Tuesday, February 17: 10am – 8pm
Wednesday, February 18:10am – 8pm
Thursday, February 19:10am – 8pm
Friday, February 20: 10am – 8pm
Saturday, February 21:10am – 8pm
Sunday, February 22: 10am – 6pm
Every three seconds, someone in our community needs blood. Donating blood is a quick, easy and safe way to provide patients with the “gift of life”.
Heartland Blood Centers provides blood products to 59 hospitals in the Chicago and northwest Indiana region. Founded in 1943, Heartland is one of the largest blood suppliers in the area. Providing these lifesaving blood and blood products to patients is a key component of the Heartland Blood Centers mission to help people in times of emergency and disasters.
To be a blood donor, individuals must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Donors who have traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months should contact Heartland at 1-800-7TO-GIVE to determine eligibility.
Please visit www.heartlandbc.org for a Heartland donor center or community blood drive near you.
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