A local sophomore, Dwight Tell, invites donors to give blood Dwight Tell blood drive scheduled for May 19 and 22

For Immediate Release – May 18, 2021

A local sophomore, Dwight Tell, invites donors to give blood Dwight Tell blood drive scheduled for May 19 and 22

(May 7, 2021 | Urbana, Ill.) –  A local student who received blood transfusions when in treatment for cancer will be donating blood for the first time and invites the community to participate in the Dwight Tell Blood Drive on Wed., May 19 and Sat., May 22 in Mattoon. The blood drive in honor of Dwight is scheduled from noon until 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 19 and 10 am to 3 p.m., Saturday May 22 at the ImpactLife Donor Center, formerly Community Blood Services of Illinois, at Cross County Mall in Mattoon. Masks and appointments are required. To schedule an appointment call (217) 367-2202.

Dwight Tell was treated for neuroblastoma beginning at age 2. As is the case for many cancer patients, Dwight received multiple blood transfusions during his treatment, which lasted about one year. He has been cancer-free for 13 years. He is currently 15 years of age and he plans to donate blood on Wednesday May 19 after turning 16 on Tuesday May 18. Dwight is a sophomore at Mattoon High School.

ImpactLife is the exclusive provider of blood and blood components to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System as well as hospitals in Effingham, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield.

Blood donations are often used to help treat patients with cancer, victims of trauma and patients undergoing major surgeries. All persons age 17 and up (or 16, with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation. For more information, call the Blood Center at (800) 747-5401, visit www.bloodcenter.org., or download the IMPACT mobile app for Apple iOS or Android phones at www.bloodcenter.org/app.

About ImpactLife

ImpactLife is the provider of blood products and services to over 120 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin, including Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Champaign-Urbana, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System in Mattoon, and OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville. Previously known as Community Blood Services of Illinois, ImpactLife recently announced its new name. For more information on the name change, see www.bloodcenter.org/impactlife.

ImpactLife is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. To find a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive, call (800) 217-4483 or check schedules online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. For more information, www.bloodcenter.org.