Blood needs, blood drives in South Beloit, Roscoe

The Rock River Valley Blood Center and 11 other blood center partners are on call this week to support blood needs and relief efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Idalia that hit the Gulf Coast of Florida at 125 MPH, then Georgia and the Carolinas. The storm led to the cancellation of more than a dozen blood drives.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center is the only provider of blood products and services to UW/Swedes, OSF St. Anthony, MercyHealth, and other local hospicals.

“We need 800 donated units of blood each week to keep up with the demand in Northern Illinois, and holiday weekends are always a challenge. Now, our neighbors on the Florida coast might need our help, too, so I want to call on everyone to step up in their time of need,” says Chief Executive Officer Lisa Entrikin. “The need for blood is in high demand so we need our community to please come in, donate, and then hopefully make blood donation a habit.”

Labor Day weekend is a busy trauma time for local hospitals. They typically lose 150 units of donated blood because of the holiday closure.

All blood types needed. Walk-ins welcome, but you can make reservations online. Please bring a photo ID and have plenty to eat and drink before donating.

One local blood drive is scheduled this week and one later this month:

Faith Lutheran Church - Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1305 Blackhawk Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
https://donor.rrvbc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/55377

Roscoe Lions Club - Thursday, Sept. 22, 2023, 12 noon - 6 p.m.
Roscoe United Methodist Church
10816 Main St.
Harman Hall
Roscoe, IL 61073
https://donor.rrvbc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/55062