President Bill Clinton has declared January 2000 as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month (NVBDM). To help ensure an adequate blood supply, Community Blood Services of Illinois has joined with the NVBDM Coalition in celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Volunteer Blood Donor Month with the theme 2000 Reasons to Give Blood.

The need for blood is constant, and volunteer blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States. "If all who are eligible to donate would do so on a regular basis (three or four times a year), blood needs could be met and shortages could become a thing of the past.

Among donors being honored are those in east central Illinois. Everyone depends on blood more than is realized. Every three seconds, someone needs blood. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 32,000 units of this vital resource. This year alone, as many as four million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases, all utilize blood.

The focus on NVBDM will be on youth, both as donors and recipients of blood. The theme 2000 Reasons to Give Blood will feature the faces of America’s youth that are living evidence that the altruistic act of donating blood, is giving the gift of life. People who are interested in becoming a blood donor should call Community Blood Services at 217-367-2202 or 800-217-4483. Make an appointment today to give blood.