Michigan suffers from acute anemia

Patient care at risk – Versiti Blood Center of Michigan launches appeal for donations

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan., July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Versiti Blood Center of Michigan has launched an urgent appeal for blood donations due to critically low blood stocks. Certain blood types are available for less than a day, putting the lives of local patients at risk. Summer donations have dropped dramatically and have reached critical lows. Last week, Versiti recorded its lowest donation number of the year. To meet hospitals’ needs and ensure they have enough blood for patients, 4,000 donors are urgently needed over the next seven days.

All blood types are required, with O-positive and O-negative being the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while O-negative is the universal blood type that all patients can safely receive in emergency situations when the blood type is unknown.

“We know summer is a difficult time for blood donations and we plan for it every year, but what we are seeing today is horrific,” said Dr. Daniel WaxmanVice President of Transfusion Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at Versiti. “Patients’ lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we ask you to donate blood this week.”

In addition to missed appointments and an increase in cancellations and no-shows, Versiti’s partner hospitals have required significant amounts of blood over the past month to perform organ transplants and other traumatic experiences.

“The need for blood simply does not match the number of donors coming to us,” Waxman added. “We are so grateful for our loyal donors who come to us regularly, but it’s important to know that about 3 percent of people who are eligible to donate blood actually do so. If it’s been a while since you last donated, or if this is your first time donating, we’re happy to welcome you.”

What happens if blood is not available for patients?

• When local blood supplies fall to current lows, it puts the health and safety of patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions at risk. In some cases, hospitals are forced to postpone operations or delay vital treatments.
• Trauma victims of car accidents or shootings are most at risk because their survival often depends on a healthy blood supply. If such cases occur again in the next few days, we may not have enough blood to keep them alive.
• Patients undergoing organ transplants or battling cancer, and even mothers in labor, may experience treatment delays or complications due to limited blood supply.

To schedule a blood donation, call (866) 642-5663 or visit versiti.org. Spontaneous donors are also welcome.

Locations of donor centers:

• Farmington Hills – 29305 Orchard Lake Rd.
• large rapids – 1036 Fuller NE
• Grandville – 3140 Wilson SW
• St. Joseph – 2710 Cleveland Ave.
• Kalamazoo area – 524 East Milham Ave.
• Saginaw – 1771 Tittabawassee Rd.
• Bay City Donor Center – 1017 North Johnson St.
• Midland Dow Diamond – 825 East Main St.
• Traverse City – 2575 Aero Park Dr.
• Gaylord – 133 W. Main St. Suite 101

A blood donation takes about an hour. Anyone who is at least 16 years old, is healthy and meets the eligibility requirements can donate blood. Parental consent is required for blood donations from age 16. Donors should bring photo ID with their date of birth.

About Versiti Blood Center of MICHIGAN
Versiti Blood Center of Michiganformerly Michigan Blood, has been collecting blood throughout the state since 1955. The headquarters are in large rapidsThe nonprofit organization provides blood products and services to 87 hospitals in Michigan. Versiti collects more than 143,000 units of blood each year in Michigan in 10 donation centers and by conducting over 4,700 blood drives across the state.

Don’t miss any more stories from Versiti Blood Center. Michigan