Tricia Bradford of Lansing reclines while donating blood to the American Red Cross in the Patenge Room of Fee Hall on Wednesday morning. Bradford supports the College of Osteopathic Medicine in a blood drive challenge against the College of Veterinary Medicine.
—Anyone who donates at 1855 Place's Friday blood drive on MSU's campus will receive a ticket to their choice of a Cedar Fair theme park. This includes Michigan's Adventure and Cedar Point.
Jeff Smith, Mid-Michigan/Michigan State University donor recruitment manager for the American Red Cross said every summer blood donations plummet, while a need still remains.
When students from high schools, colleges and universities leave for the summer, the impact is staggering, Smith said. Donations from those locations account for 40% of the area’s blood donation supply.
The American Red Cross declared an emergency need for blood in early July. In response, 1855 Place is sponsoring the blood drive Friday, where participants receive a free ticket to theme parks like Cedar Point.
“Anybody who wants to go on a trip to Cedar Point or do something like that, this is a great way to get something for yourselves while saving some lives,” Smith said. “For every pint that we get, the way that we process the blood, we save three lives.”
Smith said the American Red Cross is hoping to collect 55 units, which could save up to 130 lives. Currently 17 appointments have been made for the event. No appointment is necessary because the event welcomes walk-ins.
To schedule an appointment, go to the 1855 Place blood drive on the American Red Cross website.
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