By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

A very special American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in honor of a Cornell woman, who received 16 units of blood after complications arose from a caesarian birth in February.

Pam Meiner, Marketing and Communications director for OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, said this blood drive in honor of Alison Wissen reminds people that blood is needed for a multitude of reasons, not just the more commonly known ones, such as for trauma patients.

“The need is also there for possibly that healthy expectant mother, who lives a few doors down who has a complication in a pregnancy like Alison did and needs 16 blood products when she has her baby,” said Meiner.

The drive is planned for Friday, May 29, from noon to 6 p.m. in the ground floor conference rooms at St. James.

To make an appointment, please call 815-842-2828 ext. 0. Make sure to bring a photo ID or Red Cross Donor Card. All presenting donors will be entered into prize drawings.