With the holidays here and blood donations expected to go down, Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is teaming up with Corewell Health for some blood drives in December.
Versiti tells us because students account of a large portion of blood donations, the blood supply can go down this time of year with students on break.
Versity will hold blood drives at Corewell Health South hospital in St. Joseph on Tuesday, December 17 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 18 at Corewell Health in Niles from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
Versiti Blood Center is the primary provider of blood for hospitals in Southwest Michigan, including Corewell, and it notes one blood donation can save up to three lives.
Corewell Health has released the following:
Corewell Health, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, is encouraging community members to donate blood this holiday season. A series of community blood drives will take place this December at the following dates and times:
Tuesday, Dec. 17, from noon to 4:30 p.m., at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – St. Joseph Hospital
Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – Niles Hospital
Thursday, Dec. 19, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the River Church SanctuaryVersiti Blood Center of Michigan is the primary provider of blood for Corewell Health hospitals, and blood donated can help a variety of people, including trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, people with anemia and those undergoing treatment for cancer.
The process for donating blood takes about an hour. This includes registration, a brief medical screening and blood collection. Individuals 17 and older who are in good health and not experiencing symptoms of cold or flu may donate blood. Donors who are 16 years old may donate but must have parent or guardian permission. A photo ID is required to donate.
For information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment, please visit donate.michigan.versiti.org and click “search donation locations.”
