More blood donors needed amid blood shortage: Red Cross of Illinois

Simmy Wood
·4 min read

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Red Cross of Illinois is urging people to continue to donate blood or platelets to help the nation recover from a historic blood shortage.

In January, the American Red Cross announced that they were facing their worst blood shortage in two decades. This was further impacted by severe winter weather later that month.

Officials said since then, thousands of donors have come forward to help reverse the trend. However, as many places across the U.S. aren’t yet in the clear from winter weather impacts, the Red Cross is encouraging even more donors to make appointments to ensure hospitals can remain well-stocked with blood products.

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To sweeten the deal, all those to donate blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma to the Red Cross throughout February will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

Red Cross officials said they are especially in need of platelet donors and type O blood donors, though all blood types are welcome.

To donate, make an appointment online at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. You can also attend any of the upcoming blood drives listed below:

Champaign County

  • Urbana

    • Feb. 21: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Illinois Illini Union, 1401 West Green Street

    • Feb. 29: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Illinois Illini Union, 1401 West Green Street

Christian County

  • Moweaqua 

    • Feb. 13: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central A and M High School, 229 East Pine Street

Clay County

  • Flora 

    • Feb. 28: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Clay County Health Department, 601 E 12th St

Clinton County

  • Albers

    • Feb. 20: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Albers Elementary, 206 North Broadway

  • Germantown

    • Feb. 22: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 1105 Sycamore

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Coles County

  • Charleston 

    • Feb. 19: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., HOME CHURCH, 2350 East Madison

    • Feb. 28: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Charleston First Church of God, 1225 Montgomery Drive

Cumberland County

  • Toledo 

    • Feb. 16: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Neal Center YMCA, 130 Courthouse Square

DeWitt County

  • Farmer City 

    • Feb. 19: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 755 Stensel Drive

Douglas County

  • Arthur 

    • Feb. 27: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Four Acre, 553 North County Road 240 East

    • Feb. 29: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School, 301 East Columbia Street

Edgar County

  • Paris 

    • Feb. 26: 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., VFW, 601 W Court Street

Effingham County

  • Effingham Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center

    • 603 Eden Ave., Effingham, IL 62401

    • Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    • Saturday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Altamont 

    • Feb. 21: 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m., Altamont High School, 7 South Ewing

  • Dieterich

    • Feb. 20: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Dieterich High School, 205 S Pine

  • Effingham 

    • Feb. 20: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dieterich Bank, 300 Sur Woods Dr.

    • Feb. 21: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Effingham High School, 1301 West Grove

    • Feb. 28: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Effingham Event Center, 1501 West Fayette

  • Mason 

    • Feb. 27: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mason Christian Church Annex, 624 North Route 37

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Macon County

  • Decatur 

    • Feb. 20: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Millikin University Commons, 1184 West Main Street

    • Feb. 20: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St

    • Feb. 21: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., YMCA, 220 W. McKinley Avenue

    • Feb. 27: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St

Morgan County

  • Meredosia 

    • Feb. 29: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Green Pastures Christian Retreat Center, 1936 U.S. Highway 67

Sangamon County

  • Chatham

    • Feb. 22: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E Spruce St

Shelby County

  • Shelbyville

    • Feb. 26: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Shelbyville High School, 1001 West North 6th Street

  • Sigel 

    • Feb. 22: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Michael Church – Sigel, 200 N Church St

Are you scared of needles? There are other ways to help. The Red Cross said you can become a volunteer blood donor ambassador. Ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors at their appointments.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists to deliver blood products to nearby hospitals. To apply or view more information, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

 

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