We will be holding the Manistee Community Blood Drive next week on June 25, 2024. The drive will be in the Board room between 10 AM & 3 PM. Please spare a moment to give lifesaving blood and heartwarming hope to families in need. Click on the link below to schedule the time that works best.
https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/160148
*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 increase 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 percent 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 students and donor community: Drink plenty of water leading up to donation day, especially day-of (I always describe it as an “abnormal amount” of extra water) AND be sure to eat hearty leading up to the day- at the very least do not attempt donating on an empty stomach. The Donor Services Staff will bring the snacks/water/juice.