Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Illinois Association of Blood Banks held a news conference this morning at the Capitol Complex Visitors Center in Downtown Springfield.  The focus was on the current state of the Illinois blood supply and the ongoing need for blood donors in central Illinois and throughout the State.

The guest speakers included: Illinois’ First Lady MK Pritzker, President/CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois; and a blood transfusion recipient Tiffany Mathis-Posey, Assistant Majority Leader and blood donor State Representative Maurice A. West, II (D-67), ImpactLife Associate Board Member and a blood transfusion recipient Teresa Tran, Illinois Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services Grace Hou, and ImpactLife Blood Services’ Manager of Regional Development and government Relations Jim Watts.

All the speakers discussed how important donating blood is. Blood transfusions saved Tiffany Mathis Posey and Teresa Tran’s life. Every person who donates blood has the opportunity to do the same for someone else. Only 3% of eligible donors actually donate blood. State Representative Maurice West is working on a way to incentivize more people to donate blood through a tax incentive for anyone who donates blood at least 4 times during the year.

Following the news conference, the Office of Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton hosted its 3rd Annual Blood Drive until 3 p.m. in the Capitol Complex Visitors Center. 

 

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