Published on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Blog
We had a great time at Springfield PrideFest on May 17th in downtown Springfield, Illinois. With over 2,000 people attending and more than 100 vendors, it was a busy and fun day for everyone in attendance.
Blood Typing and Important Conversations
Our team set up a booth to offer free blood typing services. We ended up blood typing more than 30 people from the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters throughout the day.
The best part wasn't just the blood typing, but it was the conversations we had. Many people didn't know about the updated 2023 FDA donation guidelines that make blood donation more inclusive than ever. We got to share this good news and saw how excited people were to learn they could now donate blood.
Community Support
Erin Klasing, who's on our Springfield Associate Board and president of the ISU blood club, volunteered with us during the event. She helped with blood typing and talked with people about donation opportunities. Having volunteers like Erin who care about our community makes our work so much better.
Building Connections
While we were there to provide blood typing, we really ended up building relationships. People came by to ask questions, share their stories, and learn more about how they could help save lives. The festival was the perfect place for these honest conversations.
We're grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth or just said hello as they walked by. The Springfield community welcomed us warmly, and we felt the genuine spirit of Pride throughout the day.
To our LGBTQ+ community members and allies: you matter and your contributions help save lives. Whether through blood donation or just being part of our community, you make a difference! Have questions about the new policies regarding blood donation? Find more information here.
Register to Donate Blood Today