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Michigan Blood holds 'Season of Giving' blood drive

In the United States, someone will need a blood transfusion, on average of, every two seconds.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - It's the "season for giving" and scores of people in Grand Rapids are spending the day giving the gift of life.

Michigan Blood is holding a day-long "Season of Giving" blood drive at its Fuller Avenue location to help with supply shortages experienced during the winter and holiday season.

In the United States, someone will need a blood transfusion, on average of, every two seconds.

"We need 560 units every single day because hospitals never shut down," says Vida Cater, the donor marketing program manager for Michigan Blood. "We see severe weather. We see the illnesses that happen. We see those car accidents that happen as well, as it gets busier. That is why the need is so important and it is so important to donate."

Cater says blood donations decline in winter months when regular donors are busy with things like holiday travel and hectic schedules. That, plus the fact that only 3 percent of those able do donate blood actually do, underscores how critical the need is right now.

"At the end of the day there is somebody who is going to receive that blood donation. When you donate you are donating one pint of blood and that blood can save up to three lives because it can be separated into three different products. It is going to go to someone who is a cancer patient. It is going to go to someone that is a trauma victim or someone who is battling a blood disorder," says Cater.

She says some people may think the process is longer or more complicated than it is. Donations drives, like the one held Monday, Dec. 17, aim to educate as well as increase supply.

"It really only takes an hour from start to finish. It is very simple and we take you though the five steps of donating blood," says Cater. "If people donated just one more time before the end of the year, it could help us with those blood shortages. In fact, if every person who could donate, just donated one more time we could have an end to blood shortages."

The "Season of Giving" blood donation drive is held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1036 Fuller NE in Grand Rapids.

Five nearby mobile donation sites are as follows:

  • Forest Hills Northern High School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m
  • Autocam Precision Components Group from noon to 5:30 p.m
  • American Legion No. 305 from noon to 7 p.m
  • King Memorial Youth Center from 2 to 7 p.m.
  • Alto Community Blood Drive from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

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