Press Release

Versiti Blood Center of Illinois and Chicago Fire FC are teaming up to host the Fire Up Blood Drive, a community event dedicated to saving lives and celebrating generosity. The drive will be held Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chicago Fire Endeavor Health Performance Center.

Why donate at the Fire Up Blood Drive

• Exclusive swag: All donors will receive limited-edition Chicago Fire gear as a thank-youfor their lifesaving contribution.
• Meet the Fire: Donors will have the opportunity to take photos and interact with ChicagoFire FC players and Sparky the Dalmatian.
• Grand prizes: Every donor is entered for a chance to win tickets to a 2026 Chicago Firehome game, plus an exclusive VIP pre-game warm-up experience.
• Save lives: Your blood donation supports local patients in need, helping to ensure astable blood supply for the community.
• Pride on and off the pitch: Give blood, save lives, and show your Fire pride at thisimpactful community event.

Versiti Blood Center of Illinois is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Aurora, IL. thatspecializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support. Founded in 1943, it is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at more than 85 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. It operates 12 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit Versiti.org.

The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one ofthe League’s first expansion franchises. The Fire have won six major domestic titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup; the 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups; as well as the 2003 MLS Supporters’ Shield. Chicago Fire FC’s affiliate team, Chicago Fire II, plays in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional league that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academy programs, through to MLS. The Chicago Fire Academy currently features five teams ranging from U-13 to U-18. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland, providing over $10 million back to the community. The Fire train at the Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100M state-of-the art-facility and play their home matches at historic Soldier Field.

For more information, visit chicagofirefc.com.