Memorial Medical Center, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, holds blood drives periodically throughout the year. There are many reasons why it’s important to give blood. Here are a few interesting facts:

• Every day, patients across the U.S. need an average of 38,000 units of blood.

• More than 186,000 pints of blood are needed yearly just in our Great Lakes region!

• Hospitals in Michigan use approximately 2000 pints EACH day.

• Each blood donation may be divided into three components: red cells, plasma and platelets.

• One blood donation may help save the lives of up to three people.

• Patients with cancer, leukemia, heart disease and other serious illness may need blood transfusions to survive, as well as victims of accident or trauma.

A Gift of Life

Here is an excerpt from a person who shared her story with the American Red Cross Michigan Blood Services:

“It wasn’t unusual for me to have blood or platelets every other day during my chemotherapy. While I can’t tell you the exact number of units I received (it was a lot), I can tell you this: if it weren’t for the generosity of so many blood donors, I wouldn’t be here today. You really do give the gift of life.”

-A patient who recently celebrated three years of remission from leukemia

We encourage you to help meet the need for blood throughout the year. 

• Sue Briggs, Blood Bank Coordinator
• Mark Zingery, Laboratory Administrative Director