ABC 7 Chicago is partnering with the American Red Cross for The ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive, now in its seventh consecutive year, Wednesday, January 13, from 7 AM to 7 PM. This life-saving event will be the largest single day blood drive in the area. New this year, The ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive will take place at five new locations:
- The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Foglia YMCA, 1205 N. Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich
- Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th Street, Orland Park
- The Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Chicago, 1800 East Golf Road, Schaumburg
- The Center for Performing and Visual Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana
ABC 7 Eyewitness News Meteorologist Cheryl Scott and Reporter and Host Hosea Sanders, along with Anchor Mark Rivera and Meteorologist Greg Dutra, will lead ABC 7’s coverage of blood drive events underscoring the urgent need for blood, especially during the pandemic. They will offer information to potential blood donors on how the Red Cross will be ensuring their health and safety, strictly following CDC guidelines and health protocols. Donors are required to wear masks.
According to John Idler, President and General Manager, ABC 7, “We are proud to team up with the American Red Cross on this life-saving effort. Together, with the gracious help of blood donors, we have helped increase the number of blood donations collected every year.”
“We are grateful to all our sponsors and donors who come out to donate blood during the ABC 7 Great Chicago Blood Drive. Their generosity and selfless actions are lifesaving for thousands of patients,” said Celena Roldán, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Illinois. “Now more than ever and as we face this pandemic together, the Red Cross needs donors to roll up their sleeves to make sure blood is available to those who need it.”
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: ABC7Chicago or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
Cheryl Scott is currently on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago & Northern Illinois. January is National Blood Donor Month.
Here are some of the stories that viewers can expect to see leading up to the drive that underscore why blood donation is so crucial.
- January 11 – Craig Lynch is blind, but doesn’t let that stop him from donating blood every three to four months. Craig, who also serves as a Cubs radio reporter, talks about the reason he makes it a point to be a regular donor.
- January 12 – Brenda Hill lives with a very rare heart condition that requires her to get chemo and in the past has required her to receive blood transfusions as well. She is currently a Red Cross volunteer. She recently participated with the Red Cross in a blood drive launched in her name, which was a huge success.
Follow our Great Chicago Blood Drive team: Cheryl Scott ABC 7, Hosea Sanders ABC 7, Mark Rivera ABC 7, Greg Dutra ABC 7.
For general information about giving blood, eligibility requirements etc., please go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/.
Other media partners include iHeartMedia and Univision.
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