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It was 20 years ago, in 1987, when LifeSource was established
through a merger of the Blood Center of Northern Illinois and the
American Red Cross Blood Services-Mid-America Region.
When LifeSource opened on Jan. 17, 1987, it consisted of four processing
centers. These centers collected blood at the donor centers, tested and
processed the donated blood into components, and distributed components
to hospitals for transfusion.
On the very first day of sharing the joy of life, 474 life-saving units
were donated to LifeSource. Mr.. Harold Sargent of Green Oaks was our
very first blood donor and he continues to give the gift of life today.
In 1987, LifeSource administrative headquarters were located at 1255 N.
Milwaukee Avenue.
Not long after, LifeSource grew out of its additional location at 43 E.
Ohio and moved to a more spacious place at the Michael Reese Hospital
campus in May 1988.
With increasing growth in the services for the Chicagoland patients, in
1992 LifeSource moved its operations to its current location at 1205
North Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview. All processing, testing and
distribution were consolidated at the new site.
In 1996, LifeSource became affiliated with The Institute For Transfusion
Medicine(sm) (ITxM(sm)), and became a member of one of the largest systems that
provides for blood transfusion needs of patients in the Chicagoland and
Pittsburgh areas.
In 1998, the Chicago operation of the United Blood Services merged with
LifeSource. This enhanced the transfusion services to the patients and
increased the convenience to donors by providing additional locations
for blood donation.
LifeSource, Chicagoland’s Blood Center, is the largest blood center in
Illinois and one of the largest blood centers in the country. As of
January 2007, LifeSource has 18 donor centers, 3
mobile unit supported donor centers conveniently located throughout the
Chicagoland area and can host up to 13 mobile blood drives daily.
LifeSource, a non-profit organization, is owned and operated by The
Institute For Transfusion Medicine(sm) (ITxM(sm)), Pittsburgh,
PA.
LifeSource continues to be the primary resource for blood products and
additional services (listed below) in the Chicagoland area. A volunteer
Board of Directors comprised of physicians, civic leaders, hospital and
business executives helps establish and monitor LifeSource policies and
procedures.
LifeSource serves patients in 6 counties, and provides more than 585,000
blood products annually to meet the needs of more than 60 hospitals,
including 9 Level 1 Trauma Centers.
LifeSource maintains licenses and accreditation through the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), Health Care Financing Administration (CLIA
Accreditation), and the AABB.
Dedicated LifeSource volunteers have played an integral role in the
past, present and will in the future, by contributing over 10,000 hours
annually in a variety of capacities.
LifeSource also operates a state-of-the-art testing laboratory which
conducts over 600,000 tests annually for LifeSource and other blood
centers. Each blood donation goes through a series of tests to ensure a
safe blood supply.
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