Kennay Farms and the American Red Cross held a blood drive Friday afternoon to show support for a local woman who beat cancer and help provide blood for those who are currently in need.
The blood drive took place from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday afternoon at the Kennay Farms Rick house located behind the distillery. While the blood drive was set up to honor Dina Bearrows and her victory over cancer, it also helped supply blood to those in need. Subway of Rochelle also attended the blood drive and donated trays of cookies for donors to snack on and replenish crucial nutrients after donating.

Above are Jen Herrera (daughter of Dina Bearrows), Alex Neece (granddaughter of Bearrows), Dina Bearrows and Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows at the blood drive last week.

“I battled cancer and fought for three years before I beat it,” Bearrows said. “But this is not just for me, but for everybody out there who needs it, especially now. Without the blood and plasma, I would not be here today, so I want to help make sure there is enough for others who need it.”
Kennay Farms volunteered to host the event because it knew it had a perfect facility that could hold a large number of donors to maximize blood donations. Rick and Doris Kennay, co-owners of the distillery, also have a personal connection to Dina Bearrows. They have known her husband John for many years and Dina’s Daughter, Jen Herrera, works part time at the distillery as an event coordinator.
“This was the biggest community type event we have hosted at the distillery so far,” Doris said. “We wanted to contribute our space to do something in a big way. Anything to give back to the community as well as promoting both The American Red Cross and the distillery.”
Kennay Farms was happy with the approximate 60 donors who attended the drive. All of the blood collected at the drive will first be tested to make sure it is safe to give out. Then, it will be taken to the American Red Cross office in Peoria to be distributed to different hospitals throughout the country.

Hospitals across the country are desperately in need of blood donations now more than ever. The American Red Cross recently declared it is in an urgent appeal, meaning it is in need of all blood types.
“Very recently, the need for blood donations across the country has increased by 30 percent,” said Janet Jarvis, American Red Cross account manager of Northwest Illinois. “The American Red Cross needs 13,000 units of blood per day to keep the hospital shelves across the country stocked.”