Give the most incredible gift of all, a life saving gift, this holiday season without spending any money by donating blood. Versiti Blood is hosting a blood drive on December 27 at Frederik Meijer Gardens so people all across West Michigan can give the gift of life to those who need it.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan’s partner hospitals need blood and blood products daily for surgery patients, people battling disease and victims of trauma. Every two seconds, someone needs blood to save their life, but only 38 percent of Americans can donate blood to save lives. Even then, only 10 percent donate blood.
The need for blood is higher this time of year due to the colder weather and school being out for the holidays. Michigan's blood supply relies on blood donations made by high school and college students; both groups make up more than 30 percent of Michigan's available daily blood supply. When there's no school, there's no high school or college blood drives, causing the supply to go down.
From 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Versity is asking people to stop by Frederik Meijer Gardens to donate blood during the Fox 17 Season of Giving blood drive.
All blood types are needed, especially O-positive and O-negative blood. O-negative donors are universal blood donors, which means their red blood cells can be transfused to patients with any blood type. O-negative blood is needed in hospital emergency rooms throughout Michigan each and every day to save lives.
Donating takes about an hour, and anyone age 17 or older in good health is encouraged to give. Anyone 16-years-old need parental consent to give.
Donors must present a valid photo ID that includes their birth date to be able to donate blood.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-866-642-5663 or visit Versiti online at versiti.org/Michigan.
