LOMBARD, Illinois—“Today’s donors are busier than ever but their desire to help others hasn’t lessened,” said Karen Schwarz, Marketing Representative for Heartland Blood Centers.  “We recognize the donor’s commitment to meeting patient blood needs while juggling their own personal demands so this gives donors an option to make red cell donations but on a less often basis,” Schwarz added.

Schwarz is referring to an option that will be offered to donors at the Lombard Community Blood Drive, scheduled for September 15, 1:30-7 p.m. at Lombard Village Hall.  The option is to donate red blood cells.  This type of donation takes about 30 minutes longer and allows for the collection of two full units of red cells.  The transfusion process is much easier on the patient when the units of red cells come from the same donor.  There are also benefits for the donor including fewer trips to donate and phone calls (since you can only donate in this fashion every 16 weeks versus every 8 weeks for a traditional whole blood donation.)  Also, a smaller needle is used.

Not all donors will qualify to do a red cell donation.  There are different height, weight and iron requirements.  In addition, blood types A-, O and B are needed.

“We have not offered this previously but offering it at the September drive makes a lot of sense because it gives people enough time in between drives so that they can donate again in January at the next Village blood drive,” said Carol Bauer, Executive Coordinator for the Village Manger’s Office and Coordinator of the Village blood drives.

Appointments for blood donations may be made by contacting Bauer at (630) 620-5712 or by email at bauerc@villageoflombard.org.  All blood donors are required to present a photo ID to donate blood.  All donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of soft serve ice cream, compliments of the Lombard Culver’s Restaurant.