These people need blood to survive and it only comes from people who take the time to donate blood. Click here to view a blood usage chart. This page explains blood, where and how to donate, the steps involved and frequently asked questions. Please read on.

What is Blood?
Blood carries gases, nutrients and waste products through the body. Blood also fights infections, heals wounds and performs many other vital functions. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot be made or manufactured. Donors are the only source of blood for patients who need it.

One unit of blood can be separated into components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.

Blood Cells Are Produced in Bone Marrow
Red cells, white cells and platelets are made in the marrow of bones, especially the vertebrae, ribs, hips, skull and sternum. These essential blood cells fight infection, carry oxygen and help control bleeding.

Plasma Carries Blood Cells
Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts. One of the functions of plasma is to act as a carrier for blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones.

Red Blood Cells Deliver Oxygen
Red blood cells are disc-shaped cells containing hemoglobin, which enables the cells to pick up and deliver oxygen to all parts of the body, then pick up carbon dioxide and remove it from tissues.

Red Blood Cells Photo Copyright: Dennis Kunkel, University of Hawaii

White Cells Defend The Body
White cells are the body's primary defense against infection. They can move out of the blood stream and reach tissues being invaded by microbes and foreign bodies.

Information Provided by AABB

Why Donate Blood?
If your child, or someone very close to you, needed 10 units of A-negative blood in the next few minutes, where would you get it? You’d expect your hospital to have an adequate supply on hand to save a life. Hospitals depend on the Central Illinois Community Blood Center (CICBC) to provide the blood, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Where does CICBC get the blood? We get blood from people who are willing, able and take an hour from their schedule to donate at our headquarters, at a fixed site blood drive or at the Bloodmobile.

How You Can Help
You can help in a variety or combination of ways:

1. Please donate blood! Better yet, bring a friend or family member to donate with you and share in the satisfaction in knowing that you helped give the gift of life.
2. Organize a blood drive. Blood center staff will be happy to work with you during each step of the way. Please click here to find a donor recruiter in your area.
3. Volunteer. You can contribute to community safety by helping in a number of ways. In addition to helping at a local drive in your community, please call CICBC at the toll-free number, 1-866-GIVE BLD (1-866-448-3253) to learn more.