State’s Attorney Glasgow teams up with Heartland Blood Centers to host third blood drive in downtown Joliet on September 21

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September 4

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is pleased to announce that his office is once again partnering with Heartland Blood Centers and Joliet mom Jennifer Babec to host a third Blood Drive in downtown Joliet.


The next Taylor Babec Community Blood Drive will be from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 at the State’s Attorney’s Office, 121 N. Chicago Street, directly across from the historic Rialto Square Theatre.


State’s Attorney Glasgow and Jennifer Babec – whose young daughter required many blood transfusions during her successful battle against cancer – will once again bring three of Heartland Blood Centers’ mobile coaches to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for the drive.


The first drive hosted by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office in March set a Heartland record with 154 people registering to donate. The second in July drew 103 people who registered to donate. Even though the July numbers were lower, Heartland considers the drive a huge success because donations drop significantly during summer months.


“Our partnership with Heartland Blood Centers helps ensure that our local hospitals have an adequate supply of blood for those who need it,” Glasgow said. “The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is a convenient location for those who want to make life-saving donations.  When Jennifer and Heartland come calling, we’re glad to help.”


There will be lots of goodies on hand for donors on Sept. 21. Heartland volunteers will provide tasty donuts in the morning and they will cook hot dogs in the afternoon. Additionally, every donor will receive a $5 gift card to Wal-Mart. After you donate, head north on Chicago Street to The Department where every donor will receive 20 percent off their meal. The Department is located at 205 N. Chicago Street, just two blocks from the blood drive.


Jennifer Babec is the top volunteer coordinator for Heartland Blood Centers. She has been coordinating drives 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 transfusions that would revive both her physical energy and her spirits. Taylor’s cancer is in remission, but Jennifer continues to coordinate drives so there is an ample supply for other children who need transfusions. 

The State’s Attorney encourages anyone who works in or plans to visit downtown Joliet to take roughly 30 minutes to donate blood on September 21. 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.