How the Red Cross helps save lives by collecting blood donations
In the Chicago area, the American Red Cross collects about 1,000 units of blood per day. It sounds like a lot, but the need for blood donations is huge and constant.
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In the Chicago area, the American Red Cross collects about 1,000 units of blood per day. It sounds like a lot, but the need for blood donations is huge and constant.
In the Chicago area, the American Red Cross collects about 1,000 units of blood per day. It sounds like a lot, but the need for blood donations is huge and constant.
CBS News Chicago will join the nonprofit organization for the annual "CBS Cares Day of Giving."
Chicago area firefighters, and local volunteers from the American Red Cross, are among those who have hit the ground.
American Red Cross volunteers, and firefighters from the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, are on the ground in Florida after Hurricane Milton. Darius Johnson reports.
President Biden told Floridians his administration would offer support "for as long as it takes to rescue, recover and rebuild."
CBS News Chicago caught up with Pattie Eakin, who is now back at her Mount Prospect home after two weeks helping people at a Red Cross shelter north of Tampa for Helene.
Some Red Cross volunteers from Chicago have already arrived in Florida. But with a ground stop at Tampa International Airport, there has been a temporary pause on putting any more people on planes until the storm passes. Sara Machi reports.
Much of the area set to be hit by Hurricane Milton has been in shambles ever since Helene, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane.
CBS News Chicago talked with one woman who had evacuated from Florida and landed in Chicago, and a former suburban mayor volunteering in Florida for the American Red Cross. Darius Johnson reports.
Jackie Speciale of Woodstock, Illinois, deployed previously for hurricanes Michael and Ida. She joins Jim Williams and Irika Sargent to talk about how she’s feeling as she’s set to depart, and what she’ll be doing upon arriving in North Carolina.
Taylor County, Florida Sheriff Wayne Padgett said 90% of homes in Keaton Beach were "gone" after the storm.
The volunteers made it just in time—for some, only a few hours before flights stopped. Sara Machi reports.
After devastating storms in parts of the South and the Midwest, Trevor Riggen, president of humanitarian services with the American Red Cross, discusses how the organization is preparing volunteers ahead of hurricane season.
"That's just who he is."
It was no surprise to firefighter Ryan McDonald that his colleague, Nicholas DeLeon, jumped in to try to save a woman after she was shot inside a Mariano's in Evergreen Park last July. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray reports.
The recipients acted selflessly to help others. Their acts included everything from disaster relief to first responders to healthcare to education. CBS 2 is a proud sponsor of the event.
The American Red Cross is celebrating its partners in the Black community who've helped increase and diversify blood donations for patients with sickle cell disease. It's the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S. and primarily affects Black people.
The American Red Cross issued an alert saying they are experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Visit
Blood donors are needed now more than ever as the Red Cross is facing an emergency shortage.
State Farm made its especially generous donation to the American Red Cross on this Day of Giving at CBS 2.
CBS 2 Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist's fascination with the weather all began because of an experience with the American Red Cross.
Wojciech Wilczynski was running at the Waterfall Glen Trails in DuPage County when he collapsed – while his friend screamed for help. Stephanie Kolkys quickly called 911, and got instructions on how to perform CPR. CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov reports as we support the American Red Cross on this Day of Giving.
Have you ever been driving along the Kennedy and wondered who was behind the artwork on the Wintrust billboard? CBS 2's Shardaa Gray spoke with the artist who brought American Red Cross heroes to life.
The Red Cross needs to collect about 1,200 donations in the Chicago area. It opened two new permanent facilities in Schaumburg and Orland Park. CBS 2's Irika Sargent found donors rolling up their sleeves - over and over again.
A third meeting with the Packers in just over a month, with the Bears' season on the line.
Mone't Austin said she knew something was up when she didn't get a government check for $1,000 in the mail.
The public got its first look at the projectat the Orland Park Village Hall and the chance to hear directly from Amazon.
The boys, ages 15 to 17, were arrested and charged with felony armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.
Chicago will have its own version of the Savannah Bananas, who will be in Chicago this summer.
The Broadview Village Board on Monday approved changes to its zoning laws to place new restrictions on prisons and detention centers, following months of protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the suburb.
After the U.S. deposed Maduro, Trump and top officials did not rule out efforts at overthrow or annexation in other countries. Here's what they've said.
Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley on Tuesday said he plans to run for mayor of Chicago in 2027.
The Illinois Department of Human Services said Tuesday that it has not received any notification about a freeze to federal social service funding.
The Trump administration plans to halt billions of dollars in federal funding for social services programs in five states led by Democrats following allegations of fraud.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
American Airlines announced Monday that it is adding 100 more departures from Chicago early next year as it continues its expansion at O'Hare International Airport.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
It marks the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Caleb Williams' mentality isn't changing ahead of his first playoff start, which will be on the biggest stage of his two-year career so far.
We will briefly enjoy more sunshine on Wednesday before a widespread rain-making system moves in.
The cookie is described as a rocky road ice-cream inspired sandwich cookie, with chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond-flavored creme.
It stems from claims by the FTC that Amazon duped customers into signing up for prime. then made it hard to cancel the membership.
Mone't Austin said the postal police started an investigation after she received a text about a fraudulent charge.
The city of Chicago is expanding the existing $1.50 rideshare tax from a focused area around downtown to include much wider swaths of the North, West and South Sides.
The Trump administration plans to halt billions of dollars in federal funding for social services programs in five states led by Democrats following allegations of fraud.
Mone't Austin said she knew something was up when she didn't get a government check for $1,000 in the mail.
The public got its first look at the projectat the Orland Park Village Hall and the chance to hear directly from Amazon.
A man and woman have been charged with stealing $5,000 worth of Funko Pop figurines from an apartment in Joliet.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
A third meeting with the Packers in just over a month, with the Bears' season on the line.
The Cowboys finished last in the NFL in both scoring and passing defense, wasting one of Dak Prescott's best seasons.
This was the Redbirds' first time in this game since 2014, and they left empty-handed.
The Boston Celtics held the Chicago Bulls to 33 points in the opening half of a 115-101 victory on Monday night.
Arvid Soderblom made 13 saves to help Chicago win its third straight game and fourth in six games.
Chicago showed signs of progress in the city's fight against crime in 2025, as police data showed homicides were down more than 29%, shooting incidents fell by 35%, shooting victims fell by 34%, and robberies dropped by 36%.
A person was in custody after a man was stabbed in a fight in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood Monday.
Chicago police early Tuesday were searching for the attacker who stabbed two people on a CTA Red Line station platform on the city's South Side.
A man and woman have been charged with stealing $5,000 worth of Funko Pop figurines from an apartment in Joliet.
A Chicago shooting injured three people in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood Monday morning, police said.