Grundy Reporter

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is encouraging residents of her 38th District to turn out in support of a Jan. 21 blood drive.

Hosted by the Morris Municipal Service Facility, the event is slated to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives,” Rezin recently posted on Facebook. “Join us at our citywide blood drive. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Thorough safety protocols will be in place for this event.”

American Red Cross of Greater Chicago CEO Celena Roldan also recently put out a statewide call for blood donations, especially among African Americans.

"We are continuing to see and hear that people need blood and the blood isn't there," Roldan said, adding that appointments are now available at the organization’s West Harrison street location.

"We are looking to our African American donors to roll up a sleeve to provide blood to patients who are fighting sickle cell," Roldan said.

With the American Red Cross normally supplying about 40 percent of the country’s blood supply, officials are now warning there is only enough blood available for emergencies.

“If you think about not having enough blood, or having to have a doctor and hospital have to choose or make decisions, it can be a very serious situation,” American Red Cross of Illinois communications manager Holly Baker told MyStateline.com.“If it was my loved one, or my friend or me, I would want the blood to be there for me.”

Overall, the national shortage is reported to be the worst the organization has faced in over a decade, with both blood and platelets being critically needed. All blood types are said to be in need, especially types O positive and O negative.

Since the pandemic hit, Red Cross officials say the organization has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the omicron variant takes over.

“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as omicron cases surge across the country. We need the help of the American people.”