Uplifting messages of hope and prayer are being sent to young patients at Presence Mercy Medical Center courtesy of Heartland Blood Centers.  During their 12 Days of Giving campaign, the blood center encouraged blood donors to write heartfelt messages inside books for teens and children.

Some messages were fun “Happy Reading Cutie-pa-tootie!”  Others bring a tear to the eye, “Know that somewhere a stranger is thinking of you and praying for you.”

Heartland’s Esmeralda Canales delivered over 150 books to Presence Mercy Medical Center Director of Women and Children Services Lisa Adamczyk.

“The books were donated by Dawn Weber in memory of Lexi and Tim,” said Canales. “It was a very special donation and we were thrilled to give our blood donors an opportunity to personalize the books.”

“Our young patients will truly enjoy reading the books, but more importantly the personal messages will let them know someone out there is rooting for them to get better soon,” said Adamcyzk. “This donation really touched my heart.”

Heartland’s 12 Days of Giving event runs from Dec. 18-31 at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. The goal is to recruit 2,000 blood donors. Since each donation can save up to three lives, Heartland Blood Centers’ mission during the 12 Days of Giving is to touch 6,000 lives via the Woodfield donor event.

About Presence Mercy Medical Center

With family-friendly, patient-centered features like new private rooms and a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, Presence Mercy Medical Center is positively impacting the health of Fox River Valley communities. Offering 293 licensed beds and more than 450 physicians, Presence Mercy provides advanced services in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, GI, diabetes care, orthopedics, and maternal/child health.

FEATURE PHOTO CAPTION:  Heartland Blood Center’s Esmeralda Canales delivered over 150 books filled with personal messages from blood donors to Presence Mercy Medical Center Director of Women and Children Services Lisa Adamczyk.