Hundreds give blood at Great Chicago Blood Drive

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Great Chicago Blood Drive was a success as hundreds of people came from all over the area to help save lives.

ABC7 teamed up with the American Red Cross, setting up donation sites at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook and Union Station in Chicago.

The American Red Cross provides about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply. Every two seconds, someone is in need of a blood transfusion.

"You don't realize how much you do for others, but when you're sitting in the ER and you need the blood, this is a matter of life and death," donor David Munoz said.

Nearly 700 people donated at Wednesday's events. The blood drive is expected to stock blood banks at several area hospitals.

The ABC7 Great Chicago Blood Drive is taking place right now.