American Red Cross

PEORIA, Ill. (December 19, 2008) – As the days get shorter and the to-do lists get longer, the American Red Cross asks eligible individuals to add one more item to that list: donate blood at the Kankakee Holiday Blood Drive on December 26, 2008 at Riverside Medical Center (Johnson Lecture Center), 350 N Wall Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to potentially helping to save patients lives, all presenting blood donors will be eligible for drawings for gift cards/certificates from local businesses such as Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub, TGIFriday’s, Jewel-Osco and others. All presenting donors will also receive a 2009 American Red Cross Calendar and a Red Cross t-shirt.

With the holidays, travel plans and inclement weather, the Heart of America Blood Services Region has experienced a drop in blood donations. Approximately 500 pints of blood have been lost due to weather this week. This is an opportunity to help ensure blood supplies remain stable.

Recipients of blood products are not able to take a holiday from needing lifesaving blood. They are in constant need of a healthy blood supply. Please make the time to give blood this holiday season and change a life, starting with your own.