USF in Joliet will host blood drive on April 8

The University of St. Francis in Joliet will host a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. April 8, according to a news release from USF.

The blood drive will take place in the Assembly Hall Gym at USF’s St. Clare Campus, located at 1550 Plainfield Road in Joliet.

Eligible donors with type O, B- or A- blood might like to make a Power Red donation. The American Red Cross website said donors give a “concentrated dose” of their red blood cells during a Power Red donation.

“This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components and then safely and comfortably returns your plasma and platelets to you,” according to the website.

People who benefit from Power Red donations include trauma patients, newborns and anyone who needs an emergency transfusion during birth, people with sickle cell anemia and those with blood loss, according to the website.

Donors must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be dated within one week of the donation at USF, according to the release.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. To save up to 15 minutes on donation day, use RapidPass. Information is at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.