Center Line

10th annual blood drive is June 4

By Maria Allard
C & G Staff Writer

CENTER LINE — There is still time to sign up to be a blood donor in the city’s 10th annual American Red Cross blood drive.

The blood drive is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 4 at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, 25355 Lawrence.

Appointments can be made by logging on to www.givelife.org. Just type in “cityofcenterline” or “48015,” search Thursday’s date and click on an appointment time. Appointments also can be made by calling the Recreation Center at (586) 757-1610. Walk-in appointments also are welcome.

Blood donors must be 17 years or older, in general good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

City Manager Nancy Bourgeois said the goal is to get 200 people registered. Not all those who register, however, will necessarily have the opportunity to donate blood. Sometimes a potential donor’s iron count might be too low or other health reasons might keep someone from donating.

There are plans to keep the tradition going strong past the 10-year mark.

“It’s just a way to give back to those in need and just to help the American Red Cross because they do so much,” Bourgeois said. “Maybe some of the blood goes to our community. We know it’s being used to save lives.”

Several local businesses have signed on as sponsors and will provide meals to donors. Individuals from Haney’s restaurant, Salvatore and Palombo and Associates, the Cpl. Richard Menge Post No. 6756 and Sharf’s Service and Fuel Oil Inc. all reportedly made monetary donations. Staff from the 7-Eleven in Center Line are donating paper goods for the food, and Whitelam Label Co. in Center Line also donated several cases of water. Donations also reportedly will come from Fifth Third Bank.

Because of the tough economic times, there won’t be any T-shirts or giveaways this year during the blood drive. Many city employees donate their time to help with the drive.

According to an American Red Cross fact sheet, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion, and volunteer blood donors are the main source of blood products for hospital patients.

Patients with cancer, leukemia, heart disease, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses, and accident and trauma victims might need blood transfusions. The fact sheet stated one blood donation could help save the lives of up to three people, and each whole blood donation may be divided into its components: red cells, plasma and platelets. All donated blood is tested for transmitted diseases.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1045.