Hundreds donate blood at Brookfield Zoo Summer of Connections Blood Drive

BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- ABC7 partnered with the American Red Cross and the Brookfield Zoo for the Summer of Connections Blood Drive.

There was a steady stream of donors on Wednesday as people gathered to give the gift of life for a variety of reasons.

"Actually my mother was sick. She had cancer. She needed blood when she was younger, so I just thought it was a really good cause and I decided to come out and give blood," said Debbie McKinney, of Highland, Ind.

The American Red Cross says the need for blood is especially great in the summer.

"In the summertime the donations tend to reach a critical point where we may not have enough blood on the shelves to keep that supply in demand. It's high for sickle cell disease, cancer patients, trauma patients. They need blood all year round, no matter what season it is," said Patricia Kemp, American Red Cross.

"I thought it was a good thing to do. I haven't given in a year so I happened to bring my nephew and we're going to enjoy the zoo now. He's never been out here. It's all a good thing," said Cindy Herzberger, of Tinley Park.

Blood drive organizers said that's what they were hoping for.

"We know that good health is essential to people in our communities and with 2,600 hospitals and trauma center across the nation, that need blood for transfusions this is something that we need to do and certainly are willing to help," said Andre Copeland, Brookfield Zoo.

While the adults were giving blood, animal ambassadors were on hand to entertain and educate future donors.

"I'm an organ donor and i brought my 7-year-old son here just to show him an example for him to know that we are all in this thing together and we need to help each other out," said Jeff Rush, of Chicago.

More than 250 people donated blood at the event on Wednesday, the second-highest total in recent history.