PEORIA, Ill. (Aug. 1, 2013) — While many volunteers generously responded to the emergency call for blood donations from the American Red Cross in July, donors of all blood types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, are still needed this summer. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals almost as quickly as donations are coming in.

Blood and platelets are needed for many reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients and organ transplant recipients, as well as those receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease, may depend on lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

The Red Cross, on behalf of the hospitals and patients it serves, appreciates all those who take the time to help save lives. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to learn more and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Champaign County
Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McKinley Church & Foundation, 809 S. Fifth St. in Champaign, Ill.
Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at University of Illinois YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St. in Champaign, Ill.

Edgar County
Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 201 S. Central Ave. in Paris, Ill.

Ford County
Aug. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services, 1120 N. Melvin St. in Gibson City, Ill.

Iroquois County
Aug. 23 from 8-11 a.m. at American Red Cross Iroquois County, 700 E. Elm St. in Watseka, Ill.
Aug. 27 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Community Center, 330 E. Fourth Ave. in Clifton, Ill.

Kankakee County
Aug. 19 from 3-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Kankakee, 20 Heritage Drive in Bourbonnais, Ill.
Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Illinois Veterans Home, 1 Veterans Drive in Manteno, Ill.
Aug. 22 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Kankakee, 20 Heritage Drive in Bourbonnais, Ill.
Aug. 26 from 2-6 p.m. at Momence Fire Department, 15 N. Pine in Momence, Ill.
Aug. 29 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Kankakee, 20 Heritage Drive in Bourbonnais, Ill.

Livingston County
Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 600 S. Fourth St. in Fairbury, Ill.
Aug. 20 from 2-6 p.m. at Saunemin Community Center, North Street in Saunemin, Ill.
Aug. 22 from 12-6 p.m. at Dwight Heritage Woods, 701 E. Mazon in Dwight, Ill.
Aug. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW, 531 Lincoln Ave. in Pontiac, Ill.
Aug. 28 from 12-6 p.m. at Walton Centre, 100 W. Locust St. in Fairbury, Ill.

McLean County
Aug. 16 from 12-5 p.m. at Eastland Mall, 1615 E. Empire in Bloomington, Ill.
Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Manor Evergreen Place, 801 Gregory St. in Normal, Ill.
Aug. 17 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, Ill.
Aug. 17 from 7-11:30 a.m. at Laborers Local 362, 2012 Fox Creek Road in Bloomington, Ill.
Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1510 N. Main St. in Normal, Ill.
Aug. 18 from 1-5 p.m. at Christian Church, 308 S. Vine St. in Heyworth, Ill.
Aug. 19 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1 Westport Court in Bloomington, Ill.
Aug. 19 from 1-6 p.m. at La Gondola Spaghetti House, 1501 E. Vernon Ave. in Bloomington, Ill.
Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at OSF Medical Group on College Avenue, 1701 E. College Ave. in Bloomington, Ill.

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