In fact, donations often drop during the summer — a critical time when patients like Caleb, Valerio, and Emmy depend on volunteer donors to survive. That’s why Vitalant is hosting the Save Our Summer Blood Drive, a two-day community event set for June 27–28 at 18 donation locations across the Chicagoland area. Emmy passed away in 2007, but her memory lives on through an annual blood drive held in her honor. Valerio, from Round Lake in Lake County, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a serious congenital heart defect. Donor Thank-You Gifts and RewardsIf you donate during the Save Our Summer Blood Drive on June 27–28, you’ll receive a Vitalant t-shirt and be entered for a chance to win a $10,000 gift card.