State’s Attorney to host blood drive on January 9

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December 9

JOLIET – The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is partnering with Heartland Blood Centers and local mom Jennifer Babec during National Blood Donor Month to host a community blood drive from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, January 9.

The blood drive will be held at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, 121 N. Chicago St., in downtown Joliet, just across from the Rialto Square Theatre.  Heartland’s mobile coaches will be parked in the State’s Attorney’s Office during the drive.

Appointments can be made by calling Jennifer Babec at (815) 325-4282 or by visiting Heartland Blood Centers online at www.heartlandbc.org. Walk-in donors also are welcome on the day of the blood drive. Donations take roughly 30 minutes.

All donors will receive a free Charlie Corpuscle T-shirt that says, “Be Nice to Me. I Gave.” 

January is National Blood Donor Month because it is when donations are needed most. Many people schedule elective surgeries after the first of the year. And blood is needed to help people injured in winter auto accidents. The Jan. 9 drive is a chance to boost the local blood supply.

Heartland is the sole provider of blood products for Silver Cross Hospital and Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The State’s Attorney’s Office has been hosting blood drives with Heartland since 2012. The centralized Chicago Street location has proven to be convenient for the thousands of government and office employees who work in downtown Joliet.  

“Over the years so many people have taken time out of their busy schedules to donate blood during our office drives,” said State’s Attorney James Glasgow. “These donations are critical because donations can save lives right here in our community. We are glad to work with great partners to help our neighbors in their time of need.”

Jennifer Babec knows first-hand the importance of blood drives. Her young daughter, Taylor, required 22 blood transfusions that restored her health and her spirits during her successful battle against lymphoma several years ago. Taylor’s cancer is in remission, but Jennifer continues to coordinate drives so there is an ample supply for others who need transfusions. She currently is Heartland’s top volunteer coordinator.