The ICCBC's Mission

The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers is a statewide organization of independent community blood centers, dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation through advocacy and public education.

Overview of the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers

The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers (ICCBC) was founded to establish a presence for independent community blood centers at the state level.

The six, non-profit blood centers comprising ICCBC are licensed by the US Food & Drug Administration and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. The centers are also members of America’s Blood Centers, the largest network of nonprofit community blood centers in North America responsible for half of the nation’s blood supply.   

In the Spring of 2002, House Resolution 854 passed the Illinois House, creating a special Task Force to address the need for increasing blood donations throughout the state. A representative from each of the Illinois’ community blood centers was named to the Task Force. One of the Task Force’s recommendations was to form a statewide organization of community blood centers. As a result, the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers came into existence in January 2003. ICCBC is incorporated by the State of Illinois.  

One of the main focuses of the ICCBC is to educate state legislators on the important role independent community blood centers play in their communities. To help accomplish this task, ICCBC retains the services of a Springfield-based lobbyist, and works on passing state legislation to heighten awareness of blood donation and support blood banking practices. ICCBC hosts an annual reception in Springfield for legislators and their staff.

The ICCBC meets regularly. In addition to mapping out goals for the year, the meetings provide an opportunity for the blood centers to exchange ideas on donor recruitment, increasing community awareness, and current donor trends.

List of Accomplishments:

• Member of Illinois Coalition of Donation, a statewide alliance of organizations whose mission is to promote organ and tissue donation. An ICCBC member sits on Illinois Coalition of Donation board.
• 2006 Governor Proclamation declares January as Blood Donor Month in Illinois, with similar Resolutions honoring blood donors from the State House of Representatives and Senate.
• 2006 Governor Proclamation declares September 17-23^rd as Blood Collectors Week.
• ICCBC hosts successful legislative receptions in the State Capitol to give lawmakers and their staff an opportunity to get acquainted with ICCBC members and learn more about the blood centers in their districts.

Legislation Signed into Law:

• HB372: Amends School Code. Requires regional superintendents of schools to distribute educational material on blood donation at all schools in their jurisdiction, and allow students to earn community service credit for participating in the organization of a blood drive or donor recruitment effort.
• SB324: Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Local government and some private sector employees are allowed an hour of paid leave to donate every 56 days, given their employer’s approval.
• HB2042: Amends Blood Donation Act (Sec. 1, 599.6, Code 2003). Allows for persons age 16 to donate blood with written permission from parent or guardian.
• HB4371: Amends Blood Donation Act (210 ILCS 15). Allows for persons under age of 18 to donate apheresis with written permission or authorization from parent or guardian.
• SB927: Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishment Registration Act. Requires regulation of tattoo and body piercing establishments by the State of Illinois.

Other Initiatives: 

• Assists America’s Blood Centers (ABC) with national issues.
• Director of Legislative Affairs reinforces ICCBC member contacts with federal legislators. 
• Director of Legislative Affairs monitors state legislation that may affect the blood banking community.
• 2004 Governor’s Blood Drive Challenge in partnership with the American Red Cross region in Illinois.
• Press conferences and media releases of legislation, proclamations, and initiatives.
• Obtained co-sponsorship of 16 US Congressmen for HR220.  
• ICCBC incorporated by the Secretary of State.

General Information:

• The members of ICCBC collect nearly 600,000 units of blood and blood products annually.

• The members of ICCBC supply blood products and services to 175 hospitals in 71 Illinois counties.

• The members of ICCBC employ nearly 1500 blood collection professionals statewide.

For more information please contact Margaret Vaughn at 217-280-0206 or mvaughn@springnet1.com