Rep. Jed Davis (left) hosts a Blood Drive w/Versiti Blood Center of Illinois 

Illinois hospitals and clinics depend on a steady supply of donated blood to care for patients statewide. When the blood supply runs low, it puts everyone at risk. A reliable supply of blood allows our healthcare systems to function effectively, as providers can properly plan surgeries, treat traumas, and respond to emergencies without delay.

Donating blood is an easy and practical way to save lives and benefit your community. The blood collected at these drives can be used in a number of different treatments, including for patients with cancer, burns, sickle-cell disease, chronic illness, and more. 

This year, the Illinois House Republicans have been rallying communities around the cause of blood donation. Representatives Dan Ugaste, Tony McCombie, Jeff Keicher, C.D. Davidsmeyer, Brad Stephens, Jackie Haas, and Tom Weber have each hosted successful blood drives, giving the residents of their districts the opportunity to make a real difference.

13.6 million units of blood are collected annually in the United States. Each donation can save up to three lives. In the United States alone, someone needs blood every two seconds, which equals about 29,000 units of blood needed daily, and 4.5 million people needing blood annually. With these numbers in mind, only approximately three percent of the eligible population in the U.S. choose to donate blood .