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Red Cross seeks donors for Memorial Blood Drive to prevent possible drought

May 24, 2001

With a holiday weekend sneaking up, a familiar charitable organization is hoping to be prepared.

The Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive Friday at Breslin Student Events Center for Memorial Day weekend.

Students and residents can give blood anytime from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“This is the first time we have had the Memorial Blood Drive,” said Ann Kammerer, a spokeswoman for the chapter, 1800 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing.

Kammerer said the holiday weekend can sometimes spell trouble for the Red Cross. Many frequent donors go on vacation, leaving vacant spots for donations. There are also more people on the road, which could mean more accidents and an increased demand on the Red Cross’ blood supply.

“Every summer we run into where we might not have enough blood for those who need it,” Kammerer said.

Accident victims, along with patients of sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart disease, leukemia or other major illnesses, may need blood transfusions to survive.

To better plan for the weekend, Kammerer said the chapter has a projected number of how much blood people will have to donate for the busy holiday.

“Two hundred units (are what) we need to get through this weekend,” she said.

According to information the Red Cross has gathered, volunteer blood donors are the only source of blood products for hospital patients and approximately 20 percent of the blood used in the country is donated by students.

Jeannine Tayeh, a human resource senior, said people should donate blood because hospitals and patients need it.

“It’s a good thing to do to help the community out,” she said.

For more information, call (800) GIVE-LIFE, ext. 210.

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