CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC 7 partnered with the American Red Cross on Monday to host the Great Chicago Blood Drive to help ensure patients have the blood products they need during the winter months.
The final tally of donors who rolled up their sleeves was 684, which surpassed last year's 621 total.
The drive was held at two locations -- the Hyatt Regency-Grand Ballroom in downtown Chicago and the Drake Oak Brook Hotel in Oak Brook.
The Great Chicago Blood Drive comes at a crucial time since blood donations tend to decline in the winter months.