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Mike LaBelle of WMOM dressed as Dracula during a recent Halloween Blood Drive: Vein Drain Campaign
Having provided comfort and aid to those in need since 1881, the Red Cross quickly adopted Blood Services as a fundamental part of its humanitarian mission. Started as a war relief effort to provide life-saving blood for soldiers during World War II, Red Cross Blood Services has grown to become an industry leader - collecting and distributing half the nation's blood supply. Today, we are touching more lives than ever before through American Red Cross Blood Services. The use of current medical technologies allows us to provide the nation with a variety of blood products that are as safe as possible. And today, we continue setting new standards for safety and quality.
All the technology and science, however, is only made possible by one simple selfless act: An average person takes time out of his busy schedule to give a piece of himself so that someone he will never know has a chance to live. This incredible act of kindness, that allows a stranger to celebrate another birthday, give birth to a child, or share another Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends, is at the heart of what we do.
Every 43 seconds, someone in a Michigan hospital needs blood. Sick and injured adults and children need blood products for scheduled and emergency surgeries, for cancer and leukemia treatments, trauma and burn care, and the treatment of serious health conditions like anemia, Sickle Cell and heart disease. Volunteer blood donors are the only source of red cells, platelets and plasma for hospital patients. The Great Lakes Blood Region of the American Red Cross needs between 800 and 900 people to volunteer to donate blood every week day to maintain a safe and ample supply for the 70 Michigan hospitals it serves.
Although 25 out of 100 people say they intend to donate blood, just 5 percent of Americans ever roll up their sleeves to help save a life. You can help the American Red Cross save the lives of people right here in Michigan by donating blood. Giving blood is easy and only takes about an hour. A single blood donation can help save up to three lives. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health.
For more information on donating blood or on American Red Cross Blood Services, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or contact the West Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross at (231) 757-3069 or (888) 241-3433 or email to wsarc_blood@charterinternet.com
For more information on sponsoring a blood drive in Lake, Manistee or Mason County, please contact Donor Recruitment
for the Great Lakes Blood Region of the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
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