Hawthorn Mall Hosts 12-Hour Blood Drive December 21

The holiday season is widely considered the most wonderful time of the year, but for those in need of blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, or receiving treatment for cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, it can be the most worrisome time of the year.

Because the number of blood donations between Thanksgiving and Christmas traditionally dip to low levels on a national scale, it’s important that those who are eligible make an appointment to donate blood in order to ensure that area hospitals have an adequate supply on hand.

Fortunately, Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills is doing its part, by hosting the ‘12 Hours of Giving’ Marrow Registry and Blood Drive with Vitalant, formerly LifeSource, on Friday, December 21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The drive will take place on the mall’s upper level next to Barbara’s Bookstore.

To schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org, log in, scroll down to search by Group Code 179B or call (877) 25-VITAL. In addition to blood donations, participants will be able to join the national bone marrow registry, Be the Match, and offer a chance to help thousands of men, women and children in the U.S. like Max who are battling life-threatening diseases.

Your Support Helps Kids Like Max

For persons like 13-year old Max Lewis of Barrington, blood donations are invaluable. Two years ago, Max received a stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare disease that affects bone marrow development. His treatments included several blood transfusions to help manage symptoms including low blood cell counts. Today, Max is thriving as a 7th grader at Prairie Middle School, where he just completed his season as a member of the soccer team

Participating donors will be entered into a drawing to win over $1,000 in prizes including Maggiano’s $10 gift vouchers, Pandora $25 gift cards, a framed autographed photo of former Blackhawk Andrew Shaw courtesy of My Fan Cave, JCPenney $25 gift cards, Kenzy Gifts & Décor $50 gift cards, Hawthorn Mall tote bag and much more. Additional sponsors include Auntie Annie’s, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Macy’s, Dave & Busters, Glowgolf Mini Golf, Sbarro, and The Walking Company.

In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. The donation appointment takes about an hour (with the donation itself only around ten minutes) and is both safe and comfortable.

LifeSource is now Vitalant

Earlier this year, Blood Systems announced that its 10 blood center brands including LifeSource had united as one cohesive brand under the new name Vitalant. In the Chicagoland area, Vitalant has 17 donation centers, four fixed sites, and hosts an average of six blood drives every day. View all center locations and blood drive dates by visiting vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825 (877-25VITAL).