Bone Marrow and Blood Drive April 23

Bone marrow and blood drive to be held April 23
A blood and bone marrow drive will be held at the College of Lake County on Wednesday, April 23. The drive is sponsored by the CLC Health Center and LifeSource and will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Anderson Court, located in Building A on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

The bone marrow drive was launched to help find a suitable bone marrow match for Kristopher Schmidt, a first grader at Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa. Schmidt is battling leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and other health problems. His mother, Luann, is a graduate of the CLC nursing program.

An oral swab is taken to determine if potential donors are a bone marrow match. There is a $25 charge for the blood marrow donation. Exempt from the fee are minority groups (Asian, Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native American), fire fighters, police officers and college students in health care fields. If you have previously registered as a donor for the national bone marrow registry, you are still on the list until age 61 and no further testing is needed. A photo ID or LifeSource donor card must be presented prior to donation.

Blood donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not have donated blood within 56 days. Donors will receive a mini-physical that includes a blood pressure check and iron-level count. The blood drive will be conducted on a walk-in basis. Donors should also bring a photo ID. For information about the blood drive or to make an appointment, call the CLC Health Center at (847) 543-2064.