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Pizza party to come for winners in Boots Versus Badges blood drive
Updated: June 18, 2012 8:41AM
Police officers and firefighters from four local municipalities were still waiting Monday afternoon to find out who was going to be treated to a pizza party.
Pizza is to be the prize in the Boots Versus Badges blood drive, which was hosted May 7-10 at the Adventist Lab Partners Blood Center, 121 N. Elm St., Hinsdale.
Anyone who donated blood or platelets could vote for their favorite department among the fire and police departments serving Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Oak Brook and Western Springs. The winning department, which should be announced later this week, will be treated to a pizza party hosted by the blood center.
“There is a critical need for blood donations, especially during this time of year,” said JoEllyn Kish, regional donor recruiter for the Adventist Lab Partners Blood Center. “The men and women from our fire and police departments put their lives on the line every day; the least we can do is donate blood in their honor.”
The regional blood center collects whole blood and platelet donations to support Adventist Bolingbrook, Adventist GlenOaks, Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial hospitals. These four hospitals use close to 1,000 pints of whole blood every month.
“Our neighbors and friends are the ones benefiting from our donations,” Kish said. “This makes the donation a more personal decision that is much closer to home.”
While the Boots Versus Badges blood drive is over, the need for blood donors remains.
Whole blood donors are eligible to donate every eight weeks at age 16 with a parental consent, or at age 17 or older with a photo ID. Donors must be in good health, weigh 110 pounds or more and have consumed a good meal and plenty of healthful fluids within four hours of donating. Prior to donation, a mini physical is conducted; it includes a check of blood pressure, temperature and iron level.
Platelets — cells that aid in coagulation — are also in great need. They are used to help stop bleeding in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or during surgeries where blood loss is a concern.
For more information about blood or platelet donation, or to make an appointment to donate, call (630) 856-7804 or email joellyn.kish@ahss.org. The blood center is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday.
