Friday, April 24; Saturday, April 25; Wednesday, April 29
information provided by the Center for Visual and Performing Arts
MUNSTER, Ind. (April 23, 2020) – With programming, dining, and performances now temporarily paused, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) will host blood donation events to assist in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chef Joe Trama and the Trama Catering team have temporarily converted the ballroom to accommodate blood drives on April 24, 25, and 29.
Community Healthcare System teamed with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois and CVPA in the venture. They are asking anyone who is able to schedule an appointment to donate blood.
“As we currently face a major crisis nationwide, we urge the community to help us battle a declining availability of blood,” said Colleen Coblentz, coordinator for the April blood events and the representative for Versiti Blood Centers’ Indiana territory of Lake and LaPorte counties. “It is critical for healthy donors to donate at this time.”
Coblentz affirmed, “Blood donations are safe, donors will be screened, and donations are exempt from ‘shelter in place’ orders.”
Formerly Heartland Blood Centers, Versiti is the primary blood provider for Community Healthcare System. All blood donations stay in local area hospitals. “The Saturday sponsor, Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, actually work in most of our local hospitals,” said Coblentz. “The President of the group works at St. Catherine, and several members also work at Community Hospital as well.”
The April blood donation opportunities at the CVPA are by appointment only with ID required:
Friday, April 24
- Noon to 5 p.m.
- Main Ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts (1040 Ridge Road, Munster)
- Sponsored by St. Mary Medical Center
For more information and to pre-register, call 800-7TO-GIVE or visit donate.illinois.versiti.org.
Saturday, April 25
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Main Ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts (1040 Ridge Road, Munster)
- Sponsored by Philippine Association of Medical Technologists
As of this writing, only 8 of the 24 available slots are filled on Saturday. To pre-register call 800-7TO-GIVE or visit donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules.
Wednesday, April 29
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Main Ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts (1040 Ridge Road, Munster)
- Sponsored by Community Hospital
For more information and to pre-register call 800-7TO-GIVE or visit donate.illinois.versiti.org/m/donor/schedules.
“This one blood drive will potentially help save up to 39 patients in need. On behalf of the entire Versiti Blood Centers Team, our hospital partners and most importantly the patients and families in need, we thank everyone for the support,” Coblentz said.