Schedule of American Red Cross blood drives in Arenac, Bay, Huron and Tuscola Counties

August 5, 2008 - LANSING, MICH. — The Great Lakes Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is urging eligible blood donors to fight a critical summer blood shortage by making or keeping appointments to donate blood.

The Region, which provides blood products to patients in about 70 Michigan hospitals, has just under a two-day supply of all blood, and extremely low levels of Type O. A three-day supply is considered adequate, with five days considered optimal.

The 65-county Great Lakes Region often calls on adjacent blood regions of the Red Cross when supplies run low. But supplies aren’t any stronger in neighboring regions in Michigan and Ohio as thousands of patients every day depend on blood from volunteer donors for lifesaving care.

The Red Cross is asking eligible blood donors to give blood in the next two weeks. The Red Cross is also calling for individuals, community or religious organizations, and businesses to consider hosting a blood drive this summer or in early to late fall.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. For information on a blood drive in any of the 65 counties served by the Great Lakes Region, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.redcrossmichigan.org. Blood drive times and locations are subject to change. Thank you for your continued support of the American Red Cross.