IC joins with two life-saving organizations to make a big impact on community and beyond
Illinois College students are teaming up with two life-saving organizations on April 19 and encouraging the public to participate in a blood drive and bone marrow registry on campus.
The Central Illinois Blood Drive will be held 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the King Fieldhouse located in the Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center. Participants are invited to donate blood to to provide a life-saving resource for the many area communities in need. All donors will receive a free T-shirt from the Central Illinois Blood Bank, and IC faculty and staff who donate will also be treated to a free lunch courtesy of Chartwells.
Be The Match, the organization that manages the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world, will also be on campus April 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Caine Student Center. Be the Match serves thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell anemia or other life-threatening diseases, helping to match them with donors with the ability to save their lives.
"Drives like these are essential for the health and sustainability of our greater community. Through this event, we hope to eliminate any shortages that may be present and ensure the proper treatment of those who are in need," said Kayla Ward '19, a junior psychology major who helped to organize the day.
Those interested in participating will be asked a short list of questions and have the inside of their cheek swabbed to be added to the registry. Be the Match staff will be on site to answer questions about joining the registry.
Those interested in participating who cannot be on campus during the drive can sign up and follow instructions online at https://join.bethematch.org/Jacksonville.
For more information, contact Lori Oldenettel, director of community engagement and service, at 217.245.3596 or lori.oldenettel@ic.edu.