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Local Voices

Donate Blood at LifeSource in Gurnee for Discounted 'Fright Fest' Ticket

Halloween is a “fright filled” season, so LifeSource is teaming with Six Flags Great America for assistance in scaring up some new blood donors.

 

To kick off its “Fright Fest” celebration next month, Six Flags Great America will reward patrons who donate blood to LifeSource during the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 4 with a discounted ticket to Fright Fest. The offer is good only at the LifeSource Donor Center, 5250 Grand Ave., in Gurnee.

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On weekend nights from Oct. 4-27, the 100-acre theme park will be transformed into a fog-filled land of shadows with nearly 300 ghosts and ghouls in costume roaming about.

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As part of its “Adopt-a-Bed” initiative with LifeSource, Great America employees will visit the LifeSource donor center on Oct. 1 to offer blood donations. Fright Fest characters in full costume and make-up will be on hand throughout the day to meet donors and pose for pictures. This gesture demonstrates Great America's commitment to provide LifeSource with a study flow of donors, thus keeping its blood donation “bed” occupied throughout the day.

 

“LifeSource has been a great friend to us, so this is one way that we can help them to fulfill their mission,” says Katy Enrique, communications manager of Six Flags Great America, of their Gurnee neighbor.

 

While blood levels are typically low at summer’s end, LifeSource officials report that the Chicago area this summer experienced a noticeable decline in donations.

 

The donation process takes about an hour, and is both safe and comfortable.  Blood donors need to be at least 17-years-old (16 with written parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health.  Most medications are accepted.  Donors are asked to bring photo identification such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.

 

To augment its traditional blood collection process, LifeSource also performs apheresis donations, where blood components like platelets and red blood cells are extracted via a centrifuge.  

 

For more information, visit www.lifesource.org.

 

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