The American Red Cross hosted a blood drive at the American Airlines Conference Center next to Wrigley Field on Friday in an effort to support blood donation needs in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of us just are wishing that we were here and we were at a game, but for the Cubs to turn around and say, even though they’re not open, to be able to open their doors and host a life-saving blood drive means so much to us and we’re so grateful,” said Celena Roldán, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross for the Chicago and Northern Illinois region. 

“We know that the need for blood is constant – someone in this country needs blood once every two seconds – so we’re so happy that they’re hosting a blood drive for us to collect blood and meet the critical need for demand for blood.”

Several Chicago Cubs associates joined other volunteer donors at the blood drive to support blood donations to those in need. The effort is part of a larger partnership between the American Red Cross and Anheuser-Busch to utilize available arenas and stadiums nationwide as temporary blood drive centers. The American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals interested in donating blood to visit www.redcrossblood.org to find their nearest upcoming blood drive and make an appointment.