The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, the Suttons Bay Community Church and Versiti will hold a blood drive next Thursday, May 2 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the community meeting room of the Leelanau County Government Center.
• One in seven patients entering a hospital requires the availability of blood for various medical reasons. This includes trauma victims, patients battling sickle cell disease or Thalassemia, as well as those who require organ or bone marrow transplants. Additionally, a staggering 25% of all blood donations are used for cancer patients, and blood transfusions are essential in one out of every 83 newborn deliveries in America today.
• The need for blood is urgent and constant. Every three seconds, someone in our country requires blood, and on any given day, an average of 42,000 blood components are used by patients. That amounts to more than 15 million red blood cells, platelets, and plasma transfused last year alone. Despite this high demand, only three percent of all Americans choose to donate blood.
• The weeks around the summer holidays can be a challenging time in blood collection due to warmer weather, no school, and family vacations. But the need for blood never stops. In fact, we see a higher volume of accidents due to holiday activities and increased travel during this time, with a higher demand for blood.
• Without the generosity of those who give so selflessly, millions of patients each year would not have the blood they require for emergency needs or ongoing treatments.
An important reminder for the donor community: Drink plenty of water leading up to donation day, especially day-of and be sure to eat hearty leading up to the day — at the very least do not attempt donating on an empty stomach. Snacks, water and juice will be available. All donors must have picture ID with them when checking in.
