The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, Suttons Bay Community Church and Versiti will hold a blood drive today from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the board meeting room at the Leelanau County Government Center. Please note that the hours and room have changed. The Board Meeting room is on the main level to the left of where you enter the building.
A few things to consider:
• 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.
• Donations are statistically lower during the holidays, primarily due to increased travel. All blood types are needed, but O blood types are critical during the holiday due to the potential for increase in emergencies due to the travel and nicer weather.
• 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 3 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.
• 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 (an “abnormal amount” of extra water) AND be sure to eat heartily leading up to the dayat the very least do not attempt donating on an empty stomach.
Snacks/water/juice will be provided. Anyone can ask for water or a snack ahead of time too if this helps! ALL DONORS must have a form of picture ID with them when checking in with the Donor Services Staff.
donate.michigan.versiti.org/ donor/schedules/drive_schedule/ 156653 or call 866-642-5663.
