QUINCY, ILL. -- With holiday activities, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses, the holidays can be a difficult time to collect enough blood donations to meet the needs of patients. The only way to provide lifesaving blood to patients in need is through the generosity of donors.
To help ensure blood is available this holiday season, the American Red Cross is partnering with Blessing Hospital to host the 8th Annual Quincy 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive on Dec. 21, but after being blasted by snow Thursday, the blood drive was pushed back to 11 a.m. Friday and it will run through 7 p.m. at 3000 N. 23rd St. in Quincy.
Since 2005, the 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive has collected more than 1,700 pints of blood for patients in need.
"The 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive comes at an important time of year for the Red Cross," Pam Shaffer, executive director of the American Red Cross Serving Adams, Brown, Pike, Hancock and McDonough Counties said. "This blood drive will help boost the blood supply during the holiday season and each pint may help save up to three lives. The only cost is about an hour of time, but, to a hospital patient in need, time is everything."
Sandwiches and desserts will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Attendees are urged to use caution on area roadways in light of the overnight snow.
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