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.
Watch CBS News
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 woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Aurora police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of a man who died of a cocaine overdose during a confrontation at a gas station in March, following an investigation by Kane County prosecutors.
CTA Red Line service was suspended on Chicago's South Side late Wednesday morning after the brakes caught fire on a train.
A group of faith leaders from the Chicago area spent their morning on Christmas Eve outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in west suburban Broadview, after being denied access once again.
Pope Leo XIV has revealed he privately urged Gov. JB Pritzker not to sign a bill legalizing medical assistance in dying in Illinois.
President Trump invoked a law called Title 10 to bring members of the Illinois National Guard under federal service over the objections of state and local leaders.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday declined to veto a $16.6 billion spending plan passed by his rivals on the City Council, allowing it to go into effect without his signature.
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul over a state law restricting immigration arrests.
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.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
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.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
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.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
Meteorologist Carl Lam has the extended forecast.
Congressional Democrats said they're planning legal action if the Justic Department does not release the remaining Jeffrey Epstein files in the coming days.
In the San Fernando Valley, a dad came to the rescue of his daughter when her car was trapped in floodwaters.
Hundreds of people might get their Christmas presents late after the crash in suburban Los Angeles.
Supermarket surveillance footage captured the moment the earthquake hit.
A mass shooting in the parking lot of a liquor store in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood left a man dead and three others injured.
CTA Red Line service was suspended on Chicago's South Side late Wednesday morning after the brakes caught fire on a train.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
A host of new laws in Illinois will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. From gun safety to rogue towers, protection from squatters, medical assistance in dying, protections for immigrants and more, here are some of the most notable changes in the new year.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
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.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
Travis Konecny scored and added his 300th career assist, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past the Blackhawks 3-1 and handing depleted Chicago its sixth straight loss.
The Bulls trailed 117-107 but closed the game on a 19-6 run.
Three Chicago Bears players have been named to the 2026 NFC Pro Bowl roster: safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman, and left guard Joe Thuney.
Murakami, or "Mune" as he likes to be called, was introduced on Monday on the South Side after signing a two-year, $34-million contract.
Each of the kids had $250 to spend during their holiday shopping spree at JD Sports on State Street.
A woman was released on electronic monitoring Wednesday after authorities said she drove drunk and caused a crash that injured a family of four in Lombard, Illinois.
Multiple cars were broken into this week in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Four women have been charged with leading police on a high-speed chase after stealing from a retail store in the west Chicago suburb of Villa Park.
A woman has been charged with attacking four people at a CTA bus stop in the Lawndale neighborhood, including a woman she allegedly slashed with a broken beer bottle after threatening that woman's mother.
Three teens have been charged with sexually assaulting a classmate this past summer at a graduation party for St. Viator High School students.
