Do you have a pint you can spare? There's someone who's very life could depend on it!

They Vant (and need) your BLOOD!!!

There was an opinion column by Editor Mike Lloyd of the Grand Rapids Press on Sunday that caught my eye.  It was about the competition for donor's blood in the Grand Rapids area. 

             Our Michigan Community Blood Center (MCBC) has provided blood products to the many hospitals in the Grand Rapids area for many years.  In fact they have a contract to be the sole supplier of blood to Spectrum, St. Mary's and MetroHealth Hospitals. 

             For 20-years, there was an agreement between Red Cross and MCBC that Red Cross would not conduct blood drives in the Grand Rapids area.  But when that contract expired, the Red Cross began conducting blood drives in GR. 

             You might ask, "WHO CARES?".  Apparently quite a few people.  In an age where the majority of blood donors are of the World War II generation, and where HIV, Tatoos, and world travel have eliminated large numbers of potential donors.  There is concern that with Red Cross collected blood is sold to 127 hospitals in the state.  Each pint that is donated in the Grand Rapids area, but is shipped to an outstate hospital increases the likelihood that the 150 pints per day that is needed by the local hospitals will not be supplied.

             The holiday season is often a time of low donation levels, but high demand, making the potential lack of available blood even greater.

           I suspect that regardless of where you live, the need for blood products and blood donors is high.  As you think about what you can do for others this holiday season, why not make it another tradition to stop by the blood bank every 8-weeks and leave a pint for someone who's very life may depend on your generosity.

             I've passed my 5-gallon mark, I've not missed those pints at all!  When Karen and I are running errands, we'll swing in for the hour (or so) that it takes, and both give a pint.  They have the best cookies and some pretty good pink lemonade too.

             Like so many areas of our life, we have more than we need and are happy to share. 

             PLEASE JOIN US!  

Interesting that in the world of clip art, blood runs uphill.