Community Corner
Red Cross Sends Out Holiday Call for Blood
The holidays are coming to a close, but the American Red Cross needs local residents to stay in the spirit of giving and donate blood for the southeastern Michigan supply.
Christmas passed in a flash, but before the season of giving is completely spent, the American Red Cross is asking Macomb Township residents for one last gift. A gift with no price tag that could save the life of a complete stranger–blood.
The Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is in need of blood and asking for blood donations. With the holiday season in tow, the blood supply decreases drastically.
"Everybody's busy, people are preoccupied with getting things together for Christmas, schools are closed for break so we can't do blood drives there and the weather can discourage people from coming to give blood," said Martha Kurtz, communication specialist for the American Red Cross' southeastern region.
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The first Macomb Township blood drive for the new year will be held at on 23 Mile Road on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
According to the Red Cross, every two seconds an individual is in need of blood and more than 38,000 donations are needed daily. The blood from these donations is used for transplant surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, people suffering from sickle-cell anemia who need blood transfusions, and victims of automobile accidents, gunshot wounds and other trauma situations.
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In southeastern Michigan alone, 900 people are needed to donate blood every day in order to meet hospital demands. This region serves 43 hospitals in five counties, including Macomb County.
One donor can potentially save the lives of three people. Blood is divided into four components: red blood cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. While one person may need whole blood, another may need just the plasma or platelets. Less than 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, so for those who can, their donations are significant to the blood supply.
"If just 10 percent of Americans gave blood, 34.2 million lives could be saved," Kurtz said. "It's the time of year for giving so why not give the gift of life? Let's save more lives and make this a habit every day."
There will be future blood drives in Macomb as well:
Jan. 25: , 20699 Macomb St., 1-7 p.m.
Jan. 27: , 45300 Hayes Rd., 1:30-7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11: , 23700 23 Mile Rd., 7:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
If you would like to give blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. To make an appointment, visit www.redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS.
