American Red Cross

January 10, 2008 (Peoria, IL) ~ The American Red Cross Blood Services Region headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, covers a 64-county area that encompasses much of central and northern Illinois, as well as several counties in Iowa and Missouri. Key to the success of the Region is the leadership of its volunteer board of directors.

At the December 12, 2007 board meeting, the Region’s board elected officers for the coming year. David Facker, Commercial Manager for Caterpillar’s Connected Worksite Department, was elected Board Chair; Steve Larson, Senior Industry Strategy Manager, Supply Chain Management, Marketing & Product Support Division for Caterpillar, was elected Vice-chair and Charles Burke,   Engineer for Caterpillar’s Track Type Tractor Product Group, was elected Secretary. The Board is rounded out by Mike McCoy, Sarah Chovan, Sherry Killian, Andrea Parker, Pat DeCapp,
Tom Kahn and Angela Menningen. 

The Region’s board provides the organization with guidance and support in its mission to collect   nearly 155,000 units of whole blood and platelets for distribution to the 41 hospitals it serves. Hospitals served include four VA hospitals in Illinois, as well as many community hospitals and major medical centers.

The Peoria region is one of four regions comprising the Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross. The Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross supplies blood products to more than 250 hospitals in 10 states and across the nation. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of more than 800,000 volunteer blood donors, nearly 6,200 blood drive coordinators and more than 1,800 employees to collect the blood that helps save thousands of lives each year. The Mid-America Division is one of nine Red Cross Blood Services divisions located throughout the United States. Together, these divisions collect nearly half the nation’s blood supply.

Blood donation is a powerful gift that saves lives in our area and throughout the United States.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD
Simply call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or find more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Donors must be at least 17 years old,  or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental consent form, and must weigh at least 110 pounds.