State’s Attorney Glasgow announces record-breaking turnout at Taylor Babec Community Blood Drive

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April 2

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a record turnout at the March 29 Taylor Babec Community Blood Drive at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Heartland Blood Centers reports that 154 people registered to donate at the first Blood Drive located at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at 121 N. Chicago Street.  A total of 139 units were collected.  During drives, a small percentage of donors are deferred for various reasons.

Jennifer Babec, the Joliet mom who is Heartland Blood Centers’ top volunteer organizer, hoped to beat her prior personal record of 101 units during the drive at the State’s Attorney’s Office. She has been coordinating drives with Heartland since 2008, shortly after her 5-year-old daughter, Taylor, was diagnosed with lymphoma. During Taylor’s three-year recovery, she required intensive chemotherapy treatments and 22 blood transfusions that revived her physical energy and her spirits. 

“The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office was pleased to help an extraordinary mother shatter a personal record while she was performing a wonderful service for our community,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “Jennifer worked hard over the course of a long Blood Drive, but her efforts and the cooperation of everyone who participated will save lives right here in Will County.”   

Heartland Blood Centers sent three mobile coaches to the State’s Attorney’s Office parking lot to accommodate the large numbers of donors.

he Blood Drive received a boost when Scott Slocum from 1340 WJOL promoted the event and broadcast live from the State’s Attorney’s Office on the morning of the drive. Dozens of local public officials and other guests visited during the WJOL broadcast to support the Blood Drive and talk with Slocum.

In addition, many downtown restaurants donated great dining certificates raffle to donors including: Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St.; McBrody’s, 73 W. Jefferson St.; The Department, 205 N. Chicago St.; Thayer’s 158 North, 158 N. Chicago St.; Gji’s Sweet Shoppe, 81 N. Chicago St.; and the Red Goose Bakery and Café, 56 N. Chicago St.

Glasgow thanked all of the Will County employees who stopped by to donate. He also thanked the secretaries, support staff and attorneys from his own office for their donations as well as their patience and cooperation during the drive, which closed off the parking lot and created a great deal of extra traffic in the lobby. Everyone who participated made the drive a huge success.   

Taylor Babec is now 10-years-old, and her cancer thankfully is in remission. Jennifer, however, has continued to coordinate blood drives so there is an ample supply for other children who need life-saving transfusions.

Glasgow said plans will be made to host another Blood Drive with Jennifer Babec and Heartland this summer.