GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is putting out an emergency appeal for blood donations. Staff say there is a "dangerously low" blood supply.
"We need to see about 4,000 donors in the next seven days to ensure that our hospitals will get the blood that they need," said Kristin Brenner, area vice president and senior director of blood operations for Versiti.
Currently, Versiti says there is less than a day supply of type O blood for hospitals. The dip in donations comes at a time when blood is needed during summer months for trauma patients like gunshot victims, organ transplants, cancer treatments and more.
"We had a mom come in and share a story about how her daughter had to wait to bedside for blood to be delivered because we are in a shortage, and she had a rare blood type," said Brenner. "I think we all assume that it will be there, and when it's not, that's when you realize how important it really is."
Last week was the lowest week of donations all year. Versiti says about 20% of their blood comes from high school and college blood drives. That means the source is suspended in the summer with school on vacation. There are other factors, Brenner said, that are contributing to a lower supply this summer.
"Especially this year, there just seems to be a lot of people traveling," said Brenner. "We've had a higher than normal number of people canceling their appointments or just not showing up."
If you would like to donate blood, you can find a drive or donor location near you by visiting versiti.org.
You must be 16 years old and in good health do donate. There are also some other requirements, so check online. Donating blood takes about an hour, and can help save three lives.
Versiti donor center locations:
- Farmington Hills - 29305 Orchard Lake Rd.
- Grand Rapids - 1036 Fuller NE
- Grandville - 3140 Wilson SW
- St. Joseph - 2710 Cleveland Ave.
- Kalamazoo Area - 524 East Milham Ave.
- Saginaw - 1771 Tittabawassee Rd.
- Bay City Donor Center - 1017 North Johnson St.
- Midland Dow Diamond - 825 East Main St.
- Traverse City - 2575 Aero Park Dr.
- Gaylord - 133 W. Main St. Suite 101
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