U of I’s annual blood drive moved indoors due to extreme heat

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Impact Life hosted its annual blood drive at the Illini Union throughout last week, but it had to be held indoors due to extreme heat conditions.

Organizers said a period of low donations caused low inventory for O-positive, O-negative, B-positive, and B-negative blood types. Donations relations manager Jim Watts said students back on campus means more opportunities for donations.

“Whether it’s for a trauma that comes in or for that new mother who needs blood products or that cancer patient, we have to have those units on the shelf,” Watts said. 

U of I Blood Club member Stephanie Espino said many community members benefit from the supply they get from this event and is thankful people showed up. 

“Impact Life kind of serves the hospitals that are found here locally, especially Carle Hospital, which is very close to campus,” Espino said. “So, we always like to advocate donating blood to save lives and especially donating blood with Impact Life.”

Organizers said one unit of blood can save three lives. This week, they got a total of 100 units and 90% were from students.