A Wilmette Catholic church is hoping it, and patients who need blood donations, will be winners Sunday by the time the Seahawks and the Patriots take the field for the 2026 Super Bowl.
Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette is hosting the 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. blood drive to honor the life and memory of Kevin Joseph Smith Burke, who passed away in 2017 at age 23 due to a rare heart condition, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Extreme winter weather in the past two weeks has contributed to a drop of about 35% in the blood supply, according to published news reports.
Burke grew up attending the parish and its elementary school. After he died, an Archdiocese news release said, a family friend who had been organizing a blood drive at the parish approached Burke’s parents about renaming the event in his honor. They agreed and the donor count tripled.
Blood donors will get some perks for rolling up their sleeves. Each donor will receive a certificate for a pint of Culver’s frozen custard, and they can enter to win a top prize of a $200 gift card from Ballyhoo.
While parents are donating blood, kids can enjoy an arts and crafts table. Wilmette Fire Department personnel will also be on hand to greet families.
The parish has collaborated with the Wilmette Fire Department, Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Glenview and the R. Scott and Rebecca J. Falk Memorial Blood Drive to form the North Shore Alliance of Blood Donors. The goal is to help each drive raise more awareness of the need to donate blood.
The blood drive is located at the St. Francis Xavier Campus gym and atrium, 524 Ninth St., Wilmette.
Organizers recommend calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org to schedule a time to donate. The drive runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donors should bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, or their Red Cross donor card or two other forms of identification.
Donations of non-perishable food for the food pantry will also be appreciated.
