Aurora, Ill. – Aug. 13, 2019 – A one-of-a-kind blood drive this August at Chicago's Union Station will bring together blood donors and Bears fans to save lives in our community.
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, formerly known as Heartland Blood Centers, is asking the community to donate blood at the Union Station Summer Blood Drive, in partnership with the Chicago Bears. The drive takes place Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd.
As a show of thanks, all attempting donors will be entered to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Chicago-Green Bay game Thursday, Sept. 5, complete with field passes and free parking. All donors will receive a limited edition Bears/Versiti Blood Center of Illinois long-sleeve t-shirt in appreciation for their donation.
Bears alumni will also be at the drive to thank donors for their life-saving generosity from 7-8:30 a.m. (Bears alumnus James "Big Cat" Williams) and 4-5:30 p.m. (Bears alumnus Johnny Knox).
Blood donations dip by as much as 20 percent during summer when the need is at its highest. Summer often brings a greater number of emergencies and traumas than at other times of the year, which makes the need for all blood types and the universal type O negative even more critical.As the blood products supplier to 71 hospitals in Chicagoland, Versiti, Union Station and the Bears are calling on the community to donate and ensure blood is available for patients in Chicago and beyond.
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois hopes to see 200 donors take part in this unique, life-saving blood drive. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483) or by visiting versiti.org/Illinois.
About Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Aurora, Ill., that specializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support. Founded in 1943, it is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. It operates 12 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit versiti.org.
