Blood drive set Jan. 28 at OSF Center for Health-Streator

Need for blood higher during winter months

While the demand for blood remains constant year-round, every year the rate of blood donation decreases during the winter months. Currently, the need for donors is especially high.

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, in lower level/basement, Conference Room - 1, 2 & 3 at OSF Center for Health in Streator, 111 Spring St. Volunteer blood donors are invited to support the local blood supply by scheduling an appointment to give blood by calling call MVRBC at 800-747-5401 or online.

Blood donations are often used to help treat cancer patients, victims of trauma and patients undergoing major surgeries. All persons 17 and older (or 16, with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation.

MVRBC is based in Davenport, Iowa, with regional operations in Urbana (Community Blood Services of Illinois) and Springfield (Central Illinois Community Blood Center). The Blood Center is the exclusive provider of blood and blood components to 95 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin, including 11 of 13 OSF HealthCare facilities. (For information on MVRBC’s service to OSF HealthCare)