The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, Suttons Bay Community Church and Versiti will hold a blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Leelanau County Government Center. This is an emergency appeal for blood donations:
• Versiti estimates that around 20% of its donors are first-time donors; and unfortunately, more than 50% of those donors only donate once.
• With an aging donor base and increased need, first time blood donors are desperately needed.
Loyal donors continue to roll up their sleeves. However, if every eligible donor could pledge to donate at least twice by the end of the year and encourage a friend or family member to give blood donation a try as well, the impact on the local blood supply would be significant.
All blood types are needed, with type O positive and O negative most in demand.
O positive is the most common blood type, while O negative blood is the universal type that can be received safely by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is not known.
During the summer months, Versiti continues to see a drastic drop in scheduled appointments.
Anyone age 16 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (866) 6425663 or visit versiti.org/mi. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
