The nation's blood supply fell nearly 25 percent during June, prompting the American Red Cross to declare an emergency shortage on Wednesday, July 16. Hinsdale residents have nine nearby drives between Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, August 13.

The Red Cross says distributions to hospitals are running roughly 3,500 units per week above forecasts, with a critical need for platelets and blood types O positive and B negative. Busy vacation schedules and the seasonal pause of school and college drives are pulling regular donors away at the worst possible time.

"We're asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions," Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the American Red Cross, said in the organization's July 16 emergency declaration. Lawrence noted that without a steady supply, emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units cannot support patients with the most urgent needs.

Where to donate near Hinsdale

The Red Cross has scheduled nine drives within a short drive of the village:

  • Tuesday, July 22 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Legion Post 1941, 900 S. La Grange Road, La Grange
  • Friday, July 24 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Giordano's, 17W280 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace
  • Tuesday, July 28 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Westmont Park District, 75 E. Richmond St., Westmont
  • Friday, July 31 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1106 Chestnut St., Western Springs
  • Wednesday, August 5 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brookfield Zoo Chicago Discovery Center, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
  • Monday, August 10 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook
  • Wednesday, August 12 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 505 S. Park Road, La Grange
  • Wednesday, August 12 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove
  • Thursday, August 13 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center, 3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook

Donors who give through Thursday, July 31, receive a Fandango movie ticket worth up to $15 as a thank-you from the Red Cross.

Year-round options in Westmont

Hinsdale residents who prefer a standing appointment have two year-round donation centers in Westmont:

  • Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, 6317 S. Fairview Ave., Suite 1 (800-786-4483). Open seven days a week; walk-ins welcome. Versiti has served local patients since 1943, according to the organization's website.
  • Vitalant, 1133 Fairview Ave. (877-258-4825). Collects whole blood, Power Red, platelets, and plasma. Appointments strongly recommended.

How to schedule

Appointments for Red Cross drives can be made at redcrossblood.org, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-733-2767.