Great Chicago Blood Drive comes to Munster, Indiana

ABC7-sponsored event scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts

by Melanie Jongsma

MUNSTER, Ind. (January 10, 2020) – Munster’s Center for Visual & Performing Arts is rolling out the red carpet for ABC7 and the Great Chicago Blood Drive. This is the sixth year that ABC7 has partnered with the American Red Cross to meet the ongoing need for blood donations.

This year’s drive will take place at four locations from 7:00am–6:00pm:

• the 7th floor of the Merchandise Mart (222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago)
• the Drake Oak Brook Hotel (2301 York Road, Oak Brook)
• the Sullivan Community Center in the Vernon Hills Park District (635 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills)
• the Center for Visual & Performing Arts Center (1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana)

This is the first year the Great Chicago Blood Drive has crossed state lines. Donors who choose to give blood at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts will be treated to a performance by Zachary Stevenson, who is bringing his “A Tribute to Buddy Holly” to that location on Saturday, January 18. Stevenson will be on-site for about an hour at 11:00am, and will perform for ABC7 cameras during that time.

Cheryl Scott and Hosea Sanders will lead ABC7’s coverage of blood drive events at all four locations, underscoring the critical need for blood and encouraging their viewers to donate. Scott serves on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago & Northern Illinois.

“Blood collection is especially important in the winter months when donors’ schedules fill up with travel and holiday plans,” said Celena Roldán, chief executive officer of the Chicago & Northern Illinois Red Cross. “But patients don’t get to take a winter break, and the need is constant, so by rolling up a sleeve to donate blood, you are giving the ultimate gift—the gift of life.”

Each day, the Red Cross needs about 13,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,500 hospitals across the country. Donors of all blood types are needed, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative.

The entire donation process takes about an hour. Everyone who attempts to donate will receive a commemorative T-shirt and refreshments.

Walk-ins are welcome, though setting an appointment can speed up the process:

• Schedule donation online
• Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Donors can also save time at their appointments by using Rapid Pass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive:

• Redcrossblood.org/RapidPass

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), must weigh at least 110 pounds, and must be in generally good health.