With the American Red Cross in dire need of blood, the Lake Orion Nursing Home is hosting its summer blood drive on Monday, July 16.
According to Tiffany Wilson, director of medical records at the nursing home and co-chair of the blood drive, the summer is an important time to donate blood, as many of the facilities that host blood drives are not in session.
‘Historically, there’s a significant decrease in the number of blood donations and an increase of usage during summer months,? said Wilson, noting that about 20 percent of blood donation comes from schools hosting drives. Another 38 percent comes from drives hosted by the automotive industry, which also closes down for two weeks during the summer.
‘Blood is perishable, so we constantly need the blood on our shelves and we constantly need the donations,? she added, saying that the combination of summer closures and the need for ‘fresh? blood equals lower quantities of blood in storage.
The American Red Cross supplies 80 percent of the blood in Michigan, and southeast Michigan hospitals require over 900 units of blood each day to meet patient needs.
Anywhere from four to 40 units can be needed to help a person injured in a serious car accident, a fact that can be worrisome if there is a blood shortage or no blood ‘shelved.?
According to Wilson, since there is currently no blood shelved for some of the blood types, Michigan is having to get supplies from Toledo, a practice that can take too much time in a critical situation.
‘Life is so unpredictable and you never know what faces you, so people need to think that this could be themselves, their family, friends,? Wilson added.
The Blood Mobile will be at the Lake Orion Nursing Home on July 16 from 12- 6 p.m. for the blood drive and anyone over the age of 17 can schedule to donate. Interested individuals can register for the blood drive or get more information by calling (248)693-0505.
‘At least 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate, but only five percent actual donates,? Wilson said. ‘It does make a huge difference.?
She added that one blood donation can save three people, as they separate blood into three different components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets). Each of these components can be used for different scenarios, whether it is blood needed after a trauma, blood needed for cancer treatment or even blood needed for different surgeries.
‘It only takes an hour to donate and just that hour can save someone’s life, or save three lives rather, if they separate the blood into components,? Wilson said.
Plus, as Wilson’s co-chair, and director of human resources at the nursing home, Robin Hughes added, ‘You get cookies at the end.?