'Excessive iron is believed to contribute to heart disease and donating blood reduces the iron stores in the body,' said Ivan Pacold, chair, Cardiology Department, Loyola’s Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. 'Plus you get a mini-assessment each time you give blood to reinforce wellness.'

'Blood can only be obtained through human donation; there is no synthetic substitute for blood,' Pacold said. 'One pint of blood can help up to three people in need, four if you include the donor.'

An American Medical Association study reports that giving blood every six months led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in participants ages 43 to 61. Each donor has their temperature taken, pulse checked, and blood pressure and blood count measured.

Many nurses, technicians, phlebotomists, students, physicians and other staff members who care for patients around the clock at Loyola University Health System also voluntarily donate their own blood to help those in need. Blood supply goes down in summer when regular donors are on vacation but the demand rises due to an increase in auto and motorcycle injuries as well as scheduled surgeries.