The Red Cross is urging donors to donate blood before the holidays and flu season | Community

CHICAGO (WALK) — The American Red Cross is urging donors to donate to avoid a potential blood shortage during the holidays.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts a a serious spread of influenza this year and is already reporting an early spike in cases in several states. According to a Red Cross release, when seasonal illnesses increase, the number of healthy donors tends to decrease, which can lead to blood shortages during the holidays.

Donors — especially those with type O blood — can help prevent the shortage by donating now. The Red Cross offers donation incentives, including gift cards and clothing. Information can be found by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

Future donation opportunities are listed below.

Cass

Beardstown

11/22/2022: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 214 E 6th St.

champagne

champagne

11/16/2022: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, University of Illinois Newman Hall, 604 East Armory Avenue

Urbana

11/29/2022: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Newmark Civil Engineering Lab, 205 N Mathews Ave

Edgar

Paris

11/16/2022: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Paris Community Hospital, 721 East Court Street

11/28/2022: 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM, VFW, 601 W Court Street

Macon

Decatur

11/22/2022: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Decatur Blood Donor Center, 2674 N. Main St

11/29/2022: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Decatur Blood Donor Center, 2674 N. Main St

Mount Zion

11/22/2022: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Zion United Methodist Church, 1220 West Main Street

Sangamon

Springfield

11/30/2022: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Avenue

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