Rockford Sun

This year, the Illinois House Republicans have focused on promoting blood donation across various communities. Representatives Dan Ugaste, Tony McCombie, Jeff Keicher, C.D. Davidsmeyer, Brad Stephens, Jackie Haas, and Tom Weber have organized successful blood drives in their districts to encourage residents to contribute.

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie is organizing another drive scheduled for December 27th at her district office in Savanna (9317B Rt. 84, Savanna). "Donating blood is a simple act with a profound impact," Leader McCombie stated. "Each donation has the potential to save multiple lives, and it’s a powerful way to support our community. I encourage everyone who is able to join us on December 27th in Savanna to give the gift of life."

The demand for blood remains high in Illinois and nationwide. The American Red Cross highlights that someone needs blood every two seconds in the U.S., yet only about 3% of eligible individuals donate annually. This low participation rate often results in shortages that can endanger lives.

Recent years have seen increased challenges in maintaining adequate blood supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic led to canceled drives at schools and colleges and caused a significant decline in donations. According to America’s Blood Centers, there was over a 30% drop in donations from those aged 16-24 between 2019 and 2021, although older adults helped bridge this gap.

In Illinois, these issues are particularly urgent. As a result, the Illinois House Republicans have intensified their efforts to promote blood donations within their districts this year. The response has been positive, and these representatives plan to continue advocating for this cause into 2025.

For more information on where you can donate blood locally: Find a Blood Center – America’s Blood Centers.