The Bears and Heartland Blood Centers (HBC), part of Versiti, are teaming up this Turkey Day to help save lives through the Chicago Community Thanksgiving Blood Drive on Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rauner Family YMCA (2700 S Western Ave, Chicago).
All donors will receive a limited-edition HBC/Bears t-shirt, a 2019 Bears calendar and Bears laser autographed photos. There will also be a chance to win two tickets to the Bears game vs. the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 16. For more information and the official rules, please click here.
Former Bears receiver Marcus Robinson will also be in attendance from 9:30-11 a.m. to thank donors for their life-saving generosity. The blood drive gives donors and fans a unique opportunity to help patients in our community and share their Bears pride.
Heading into Thanksgiving and winter, blood donations tend to decline because of additional family plans and increased travel during the holiday season. As the blood products supplier to 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, HBC and the Bears are calling on fans and the community to donate and ensure blood is available for patients in Chicago and beyond.
All blood types are needed, especially type O negative which is the universal blood type that can be safely given to patients in emergency situations and those undergoing surgery. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483) or by visiting versiti.org/Illinois.
About Heartland Blood Centers
Heartland Blood Centers, part of Versiti, is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Aurora, Ill., that specializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support.
Founded in 1943, Heartland is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Heartland operates 13 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit versiti.org.
