Be a hero and donate at Heartland Blood Centers’ C2E2 Blood Drive

Mar 11, 2019

All attempting donors receive limited-edition “American Donor” superhero t-shirt

Aurora, Ill. – March 11, 2019 – Heartland Blood Centers (HBC), part of Versiti, is calling on Chicago pop culture fans to be a hero for patients in need and donate blood at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24 at McCormick Place.

All attempting donors will receive a limited-edition “American Donor” superhero t-shirt in appreciation for their life-saving donations. Sporting their shirts – and other festive costumes – donors are invited to strike their best hero pose and take pictures in front of HBC’s event backdrop and share on social media platforms with #C2E2Hero.

HBC and C2E2 have hosted blood drives at the annual event since 2016. Last year, 230 life-saving donations were collected during the three-day expo. This year, HBC hopes to welcome 300 donors to help support our heroic mission of saving lives in our community and beyond.

As the blood products supplier to 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, the need for blood is constant. All blood types are needed, but especially type O negative, which is the universal type that can be safely received by all patients and is given to those undergoing surgery, kids and adults battling cancer and those in emergency situations.

Donations can be made between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. all three days of the drive. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, call 1-800-7TO-GIVE (1-800-786-4483) or visit versiti.org/Illinois.

About Heartland Blood Centers

Heartland Blood Centers, part of Versiti, is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Aurora, Ill., that specializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support.

Founded in 1943, Heartland is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at 71 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Heartland operates 13 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit versiti.org.