Loretto Hospital Hosts Vital Blood Drive and Health Screenings to Support Chicago’s African American Community

Loretto Hospital Hosts Vital Blood Drive and Health Screenings to Support Chicago’s African American Community

The event highlights the importance of African American blood donors for collecting a larger supply of Type O blood and fighting sickle cell disease


CHICAGO —Loretto Hospital announces its 4th free Summer Screening Series event to be held on Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The day’s main events will revolve around a blood donation campaign and kidney health checks. 

These activities are being presented in collaboration with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Nu Pi Chapter), Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and Senator Kimberly A. Lightford. Additional supporters of the Summer Screening Series event include Black Men United, Fathers Who Care, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and Habilitative Systems, Inc.

The free July 27th blood drive and kidney screenings will be held on the 6th floor of the hospital. The brothers of Nu Pi Chapter will support the blood drive, which provides criticalopportunities for blood donations within the African American community. Concurrently, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois will offer health screenings for kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Attendees can also enjoy a Community Resource Fair located in the parking lot at 645 North Central Avenue (enter on Harrison Street), offering music, fun activities, health education and community resources.

“Decades ago, segregation in blood donations perpetuated mistrust and disparities. Today, Loretto Hospital is committed to inclusivity and actively addressing healthcare disparities by encouraging more donations from various communities, particularly African Americans,” said Loretto Hospital President Tesa Anewishki.

Statistics underscore the urgent need for blood donations within the African American community, as one in three African American blood donors is a match for patients with sickle cell disease—a profound statistic highlighting the critical role that African American blood donors play in saving lives. In addition, 51% of African Americans have Type O blood, higher than the average 45% of Caucasians.

“We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to community health and unity through our active participation in the blood drive,” said Jabari Saunders, president of the Nu Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “By donating blood, we honor the memory of Dr. Charles Drew, a fraternity member widely recognized as the pioneer of blood banking.”

By donating blood on July 27, people can directly impact lives in the Austin community, ensuring that patients—especially those with sickle cell disease—receive the life-saving blood they urgently need. As such, this blood drive is not just about donations, it is about community solidarity and healthcare equity, ensuring that every patient receives the compassionate care they deserve.


Loretto Hospital is a community hospital that serves over 33,000 patients each year from Chicago’s Austin and surrounding communities. As a not-for-profit community-focused healthcare provider, Loretto offers its community a unique patient-centered healthcare delivery system that promotes general wellness and education. The hospital staff are committed to providing the best possible medical care in a holistic, safe and comfortable resident environment.

By empowering patients with knowledge and resources, Loretto Hospital strives to cultivate a culture of proactive medical management within the community, with the goal of increasing the quality of life for patients and community residents.

Visit the Loretto Hospital website at Lorettohospital.org/summerscreening to learn more.

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