Emergency appeal for blood donations in Michigan

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations as communities throughout the state are facing a potential crisis.
Michigan’s blood supply is currently at less than a half-day’s supply. Ideally, Versiti has from three to five days of blood donations available for the nearly 70 partner hospitals it supplies.
All blood types are needed, especially O-negative and O-positive types. O-negative donors are universal blood donors, meaning their red blood cells can be transfused to all patients, said Versiti Blood Center of Michigan Area Vice President Dawn Kaiser.
“With high schools and colleges on break, families enjoying the holidays and flu spreading throughout Michigan in December, donations were low. Now, we’re in dire need of blood donations,” Kaiser said. “People battling cancer, surgery patients and victims of trauma need blood every day – in fact, every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. We’re encouraging neighbors throughout the state to answer the call and help save lives now with the generous, selfless and life-saving blood donations.”
Hours have been extended this week at many Versiti donor centers in Michigan to give residents more options to donate blood:
Grand Rapids: 1036 Fuller NE
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo area: 524 E. Milham Ave., Portage
Thursday: Noon-6 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saginaw: 1771 Tittabawassee Road
Wednesday: 7 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Traverse City: 2575 Aero Park Drive
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday: Noon-7 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.-noon
Bay City: 1017 N. Johnson St.
Wednesday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Midland: 825 E. Main St.
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Grandville: 3140 Wilson SW
Wednesday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
St. Joseph: 2710 Cleveland Ave.
Wednesday: Noon-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to give. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-866-642-5663 or visit Versiti online.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, formerly Michigan Blood, has collected blood throughout the state since 1955. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, the non-profit organization provides blood products and services to nearly 70 Michigan hospitals. Versiti Blood Center of Michigan collects more than 114,000 units of blood each year at eight donation centers and through the operation of more than 3,400 community blood drives throughout the state. For more, visit versiti.org/Michigan.