Fred Kempes Memorial Blood Drive Taking Place on Sept. 10

Joliet, IL – On Thursday, September 10, the Fred Kempes Memorial Blood Drive will take place from 3:00pm – 7:00pm. The drive, hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 176 Safety Committee in partnership with nonprofit blood service provider, Vitalant, will be held at the 176 West Banquet Hall located at 1100 N E Frontage Road in Joliet.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are blood shortages in the U.S. due to the lack of donations coming in. Prior to the pandemic, blood banks would ordinarily have one to two-week inventory available. However, most are operating with only one to two-day inventories.

Various blood drives that would normally take place in the Joliet area have been canceled. Due to IBEW’s vast experience with conducting blood drives over the years and Vitalant’s reputation as one of the nation’s oldest and largest community blood service providers, the two organizations are able to incorporate all necessary health and safety protocols for a clean and safe blood drive, while also following strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Only healthy individuals can give blood during the drive. Vitalant has continued to update their eligibility criteria based on emerging new information from the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and blood bank industry leaders. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antigens.

In order to adhere to social distancing and safety guidelines, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors with appointments will be given priority, but walk-ins will also be taken, if time allows. To schedule an appointment, be sure to call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or visit their website at vitalant.org. In an effort to get past the current shortage at blood banks and carry over into the Fall, all healthy, eligible donors are encouraged to attend and give blood.

The semi-annual blood drive was named after Fred Kempes, who was a longtime member and officer of IBEW Local 176 and also served for a number of years as the Safety Committee Chairman. He was known for his unwavering commitment to jobsite and community safety as well as service. Fred was also responsible for initiating the first blood drive at IBEW Local 176, and the tradition has continued on.

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