This letter is from Ed Dowd, Executive Director, Mattoon Chamber of Commerce:
“The Mattoon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Blood Drive on Thursday October 4, 2018 in conjunction with our Annual Business Expo and Taste of the Expo. We are collaborating with Community Blood Services of Illinois, conveniently located in the Cross County Mall, which is the same location as the Expo. They have agreed to have their Bloodmobile on site to help with the process and draw attention to the drive.
The Chamber is always focused on buying local, shopping local, and focusing our efforts and support on Chamber members and local businesses. Many people might not be aware that 100% of all blood collected by Community Blood Services, a Chamber of Commerce member, is used locally by Sarah Bush and Carle Hospitals.
Every 2 seconds someone somewhere needs blood. 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. There is no substitute for human blood; it cannot be made synthetically in a lab. Every single person’s blood donation is important regardless of your blood type. The rarest type is the one that is not on the shelf when a patient needs it. 17% of donated blood is used for cancer treatment. On average, 1 out of 7 people who enter a hospital need blood. Donating blood is a simple, safe procedure and the benefit is profound-you save lives!
Healthy adults, over 17 years old, (16 with parental consent), who weigh at least 110 pounds, may donate a pint of blood. 38% of the US population is able to donate blood but only 10% of those actually donate. The number one reason people never donate is they were never asked. We are asking everyone to join us at our blood drive.
As Executive Director of the Chamber, having given over 1 gallon of blood locally, I can tell you it is a fast and easy process that usually takes less than one hour. David Myers, a local retiree, has already signed up for the blood drive. David has given blood 180 times, equaling over 22 gallons of blood spanning 40 years!
Community Blood Services have always been great to work with and will put you at ease throughout the process. We are holding the Blood Drive from 10am to 1pm on October 4th at the Cross County Mall. Be sure to bring a Photo ID to donate. Please contact the Chamber to make an appointment. We can be reached multiple ways: e-mail us at matchamber@consolidated.net; you can call us at 217-235-5661 or simply stop by our offices at 1518 Broadway Avenue here in downtown Mattoon. Give the gift of life!”