Gov. Jim Edgar has officially proclaimed August Blood Donor Awareness Month.

Blood supplies in Illinois are extremely low and blood donors are seriously needed.

All blood types are needed to meet the needs of patients, reported a State of Illinois Proclamation about the month.

There is a great need for donations in the summer, and supplies tend to be lowest in August, stated a LifeSource report.

LifeSource, with offices in Chicago and Glenview, is the largest blood center in Illinois and the fourth largest in the country, providing Illinois with 80 percent of its blood needs.

Blood types O and B are critically short, the report stated.

“Each pint of blood donated can save three lives,” said Robert Mahowald, marketing associate at the LifeSource branch in Glenview.

Eligible donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age. All volunteers will receive a mini-physical where the donor’s temperature, iron level, blood pressure and cholesterol level will be checked, stated the LifeSource report.

“Blood donations can be made every 56 days and donating blood is fast, easy and safe. New FDA standards require that only prepackaged, disposable, sterile needles are used,” the report stated.

Blood Donor Day at Kishwaukee Community Hospital will be Aug. 14 from 1 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. by appointment only. To schedule an appointment to donate blood call 756-1521, ext. 3374.