Team members from the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois assist one of the 62 donors during Abbott’s “Symphony of giving” blood drive hosted at Chicago Symphony Center during Open House Chicago.
Kevin Sabitus
Building on a partnership established in 2026, Abbott and Chicago Symphony invited the public to participate in a “Symphony of Giving” blood drive during Open House Chicago on Oct. 17. Hosted in the Forte Event Space at Chicago Symphony Center, the event encouraged guests to give blood, experience music, and contribute to a lifesaving cause.
A blood donor wears a headset that uses mixed reality technology and invites the person to interact with one of two immersive virtual environments while donating blood.
Kevin Sabitus
As part of the experience, donors had the opportunity to use Abbott’s mixed reality technology while giving blood. Accompanied by music composed by Chicago-based composer Joe Clark and recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, participants explored immersive virtual environments including “Intergalactica” and “Zen Garden.” The technology is designed to enhance the donor experience and help reduce anxiety during the donation process.
The “Symphony of giving” blood drive collected 89 blood products, which exceeded the goal for the event and represented the potential to impact up to 267 patients and their families. (Pictured: Joe Clark, composer of “Intergalactica”)
Kevin Sabitus
Abbott’s headset that uses mixed reality technology to connect an individual to one of two immersive virtual environments, “Intergalactica” or “Zen Garden,” while donating blood.
Kevin Sabitus
In total, 62 individuals either scheduled appointments in advance or donated as walk-in participants during Open House Chicago. With support from Abbott’s blood drive team and Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, 89 blood products were collected, exceeding the event goal. According to Versiti, those donations have the potential to impact up to 267 patients and their families.
All donors received a complimentary pair of tickets to a future concert, further connecting the themes of community, music, and giving.
Joe Clark, the composer of the score for “Intergalactica” that was recorded by the CSO, was among the blood donors who tried Abbott’s mixed reality technology during the October 17 blood drive at Chicago Symphony Center.
Kevin Sabitus
With support from Abbott’s blood drive team and Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, the "Symphony of giving" blood drive hosted donors in the Forte Event Space at Chicago Symphony Center throughout Open House Chicago on October 17.
Kevin Sabitus
In addition to the blood drive, Chicago Symphony Center welcomed approximately 9,400 visitors throughout the day. Guests enjoyed performances, interactive discussions with musicians in Grainger Ballroom, family activities in Buntrock Hall, a volunteer resource fair in the Rotunda, and the opportunity to take photos on the conductor’s podium in historic Orchestra Hall.
