Above / Will County Commissioner Blood Drive returns to the Naperville 95 Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive, from 12:30PM to 6PM Tues., May 20, by appointment or simply walking in.

In collaboration with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, Will County Commissioner Julie Berkowicz will host a Spring Blood Drive from 12:30PM to 6PM on Tues., May 20, at the 95 Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive.

The community is welcome and encouraged to participate. (Note: To give blood, individuals must be age 16 with a signed written consent from a parent or guardian. Becoming a teen volunteer blood donor helps establish a lifelong commitment to saving lives.)

"The first time I donated, I was 17," said Berkowicz. "Ever since, I've been donating regularly. While there is always a need for this vital resource, this spring and all summer it's vitally important for our community to have a reliable supply."

The community is encouraged to give the "gift of life" with the knowledge that every two seconds someone needs blood. Fulfilling that need can help donors, too.

For instance, donors who give blood receive what seems to be a complimentary check-up. Temperature, blood pressure and iron level are checked. Plus, being a blood donor lifts spirits and provides positive emotional wellbeing. Helping fill the need to help others is indeed gratifying.

Every year, roughly 4.5 million American lives are saved by blood transfusions and with the onset of summer, donations are needed more than ever.

Blood is the only gift one human being can give to another that cannot be manufactured, and currently, there is no substitute. Donate blood with the knowledge that every donation can save up to three lives.

Bring a family member or friend along. The process takes less than an hour, but knowing you helped save a life and the good feelings that brings to you goes on for a very long time.

"Of course, it's also easy to just walk in," Berkowicz said, again emphasizing the need for blood donations every single day.

Every day in the U.S., patients in hospitals, surgical centers and emergency treatment facilities need approximately:

For information regarding upcoming blood drives in collaboration with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, set every two months, visit JulieBerkowicz.net/BloodDrives.