West Chicago – State Representative Randy Ramey (R-West Chicago) asked  local residents to make it their civil duty to donate blood as party of his “Flag Day Blood Drive”, which was held last week at his West Chicago office.  

“Donations generally decrease during the summer months because of the absence of high school and college blood drives while the need for blood rises due to increased travel due to accidents and increased surgeries, which are often put off until school is out of session,” explained Margaret Vaughn, Government Relations Director for the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers.    

“A single pint of blood can save up to three lives, and I would like to encourage people to make blood donation a regular part of their routine,” said Ramey.  

Another blood drive in West Chicago will be taking place from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, for residents who might have missed Ramey’s blood drive. The drive will be held for Heartland Blood Center in its air-conditioned mobile unit that will be parked in the West Chicago City Hall parking lot at 475 Main St. All blood donors will receive a gift card for a free quart of Oberweis ice cream, compliments of Heartland Blood Centers. The card can be redeemed at any Oberweis store. For details, call Rosemary Mackey at (630) 293-2200, ext. 139. 

The State of Illinois recognizes the importance of blood donation.  The Organ Donor Leave Act allows state workers time off with pay to donate blood and the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act does the same for private sector employees as well as municipal and county workers. 

 Individuals can donate blood every 56 days.  Heartland Blood Centers is the sole provide of blood for 33 hospitals in the greater Chicago area.  To donate blood or to set up a blood drive, please call Heartland Blood Centers at 1-800-7TOGIVE.