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Red Cross: Urgent Need For Platelet Donors And Blood Donors

Posted at 12:35 PM, Feb 14, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-14 12:35:58-05

Blood Drive Held In Honor Of Teen injured In Car CrashLansing, Mich (February 14, 2014) — According to a press release Severe winter weather throughout January and into February has forced the cancellation of American Red Cross blood drives from coast to coast.

From January 2 through February 10, more than 1,000 Red Cross blood drives in 34 states and Washington, D.C. have been canceled, resulting in about 35,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. The extraordinary number of cancellations is the equivalent of the Red Cross having to shut down its national operations for more than two full days.

“On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood every day to help patients nationwide,” said Todd Kulman, Communications Program Manager of the Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region.  “Regardless of the weather, patients are counting on blood products to be there when needed.”

Nationwide, donations in January 2014 were down about 10 percent when you average typical January donations since 2011. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations come in. All blood types are needed to help restock Red Cross shelves.

Here in the 65-county Great Lakes Region, approximately 60 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, resulting in a shortfall of more than 1,800 uncollected blood and platelet donations in this area.

There is an urgent need for type O negative, O positive, B negative and A negative blood. Type O negative is universal and can likely be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to patients with either Rh positive or negative blood.

Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, are also urgently needed. Platelets must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed.

The following is a list of blood drives through March 19th:

CITY DATE LOCATION SITE ADDRESS HOURS
Grand Rapids 02/17/2014 BSI HEALTHCARE 944 52ND STREET SE 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM
Grand Rapids 02/17/2014 Cornerstone University 1001 E. Beltline Avenue NE 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Holland 02/18/2014 USF Holland 750 E. 40th Street 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Hamilton 02/20/2014 Hamilton Reformed Church 3554 M-40 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Holland 02/20/2014 Intersection Ministries 945 136th Avenue 1:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Plainwell 02/20/2014 Gun Plains Township Hall – Plainwell 381  8th st 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grand Haven 02/21/2014 Grand Haven First Presbyterian Church 508 Franklin 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grand Rapids 02/24/2014 MSU – Secchia Campus 15 Michigan Street NE 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Holland 02/27/2014 Holland Event Center 12330 James Street, Block H130 11:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Holland 02/28/2014 Bethany Christian Reformed Church 11 East 32nd Street 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grand Rapids 03/03/2014 Davenport University 6191 Kraft Ave 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Grand Rapids 03/04/2014 Beacon Hill at Eastgate 1919 Boston St 9:30 AM – 2:15 PM
Holland 03/05/2014 Herrick District Library 300 River Drive 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Grand Haven 03/06/2014 North Ottawa Community Hospital 1309 Sheldon Road 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
Holland 03/07/2014 Intersection Ministries 945 136th Avenue 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Otsego 03/07/2014 American Legion 410 E Orleans 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grand Haven 03/10/2014 Hope Reformed Church 14932 Mercury Drive 1:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Hopkins 03/11/2014 Hopkins High School 333 S Clark St 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Saugatuck 03/11/2014 Saugatuck High School 401 Elizabeth 9:00 AM – 2:45 PM
Wayland 03/12/2014 United Church of Wayland 411 Superior Street 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Holland 03/13/2014 Holland Aquatic Center 550 Maple Avenue 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Spring Lake 03/13/2014 First Baptist Church  Of Spring Lake 118 E. Exchange Street 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grandville 03/14/2014 Hanley Christian Reformed Church O-372 Jackson St 12:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Hudsonville 03/14/2014 Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church 3617 Hillcrest Road 11:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Grand Rapids 03/15/2014 Fox Powersports 3562 29th St. 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM
Holland 03/17/2014 Third Reformed Church 111 W. 13th Street 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Grand Rapids 03/18/2014 American Red Cross 1050 Fuller Avenue NE 11:30 AM – 4:15 PM
Holland 03/18/2014 American Red Cross 270 James Street 11:30 AM – 5:15 PM

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit  redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.