Out for Blood

Several collection centers hope to attract donors with incentives

The recent frigid weather may have made your blood run cold, but it caused many blood banks to run out.

LifeSource, Illinois' largest blood center, ideally keeps a five- to seven-day supply but reports that its reserves are down to two days' worth.

"The bad weather really has caused a decline in donations," spokesperson Tammy Basile told the RedEye.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, and several blood banks are offering incentives in the hopes of attracting donors. For example, LifeSource donors will receive a 12-percent discount coupon for Abt Electronics in-store purchases (5 percent for online purchases). Blood donors will also be entered into a random drawing to win one of 100 pairs of Blackhawks tickets.

Heartland Blood Centers is also looking for donations and is randomly giving away $100 gas cards to five lucky donors every day this month.

For more information on blood drives and collection centers, visit http://www.lifesource.org/ or http://www.heartlandbc.org/.

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