Urgent need for all blood types; O-Negative blood levels dangerously low

Snow and bad weather are significantly impacting Michigan Blood’s ability to collect blood, both due to canceled blood drives and donors who feel it unsafe driving in bad conditions.

“Hospitals don’t take snow days and neither do we,” said Dawn Kaiser, director of donor services for Michigan Blood, “All it takes is one bad accident, and our inventory could be wiped out.”

There is currently an urgent need for all blood types and a special need for O-Negative blood, the universal donor, which has dangerously low levels. If the current trend of bad weather continues without more blood donors coming in, Michigan Blood’s inventory could drop to critical levels.

Every blood donation can be a life-saver for people in hospitals across the state. Here is a list of donor centers in the region where people can donate blood, if they feel safe enough to drive out:

Grand Rapids Area Donor Center, 1036 Fuller Ave NE

Sundays: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (appointment only)
Mondays through Thursdays: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fridays: 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturdays: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Grandville Donor Center – Grandville United Methodist Church, 3140 Wilson Ave
Wednesdays: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (appointment only)
Thursdays: 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Saturdays: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (appointment only)

Michigan Blood is the primary provider of blood and blood products for more than 60 hospitals in Michigan, including Spectrum Health, Metro Health University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health St. Mary’s.

Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) may be eligible to donate, although there are height and weight restrictions for people 16 to 18 years old. Blood donors should bring photo ID. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663), text MIBLOOD to 444999, or schedule online at miblood.org.

Eleven-year-old Tegan Rose is being treated for cancer and needs O-negative blood—a rare blood type.

She’s had to wait for a life-saving blood transfusion due to lack of area donations.

For many, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate Irish heritage. For Tegan Rose, of Spring Lake, March 17, 2017 was the start of her cancer treatment. She turned 11 years old two days later.

“Her lucky four-leaf clover sticker didn’t turn out to be so lucky,” said Angela Rose, Tegan’s mom, before correcting herself. “Actually, if you look at it, it turned out to be really lucky—we caught the cancer early.”

Tegan is now in remission, but has to undergo chemotherapy over the next year or two. And with that comes a need for blood, a sometimes difficult task because of her blood type: O-negative. People with that blood type can only receive O-negative blood, and because only nine percent of Michigan’s population has that blood type, it’s been an issue for the preteen.

Tegan Rose and her mother Angela.

“We were at the hospital and Tegan needed blood, but we had to wait for someone to drive it over from Detroit,” said Angela.

Unfortunately, summer is a time when blood donations are at their lowest – there is currently a critical need for O-Negative blood donations. That’s why Michigan Blood is working to get enough donations to help people just like Tegan.

Anyone with O-Negative blood who donates twice between July 10^th and October 31^st will be entered for a chance to win a YETI cooler filled with Michigan-made merchandise. What’s more, because O-Negative is the universal donor, their blood can go to help save people across Michigan – including Tegan.

Michigan Blood is the primary provider of blood and blood products for more than 60 hospitals in Michigan, including Spectrum Health, Metro Health University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health St. Mary’s. Donations given outside of Michigan Blood do not have direct local impact. Donating blood with Michigan Blood helps save the lives of patients in Michigan hospitals. Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 112 pounds may be eligible to donate, although females age 18 and under must weigh 120 pounds or more. Blood donors should bring photo ID. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663) or schedule online at https://donate.miblood.org.

Upcoming blood drive locations:

7/09 – Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church, Community Room- SSU, 10295 Myers Lake NE, Rockford, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm

7/12 – Heritage United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 19931 W Kendaville Rd., Pierson, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

7/13 – Sparta Area Donor Site at Sparta United Methodist, Lower Level Dining Room-2nd Floor, 54 E Division St., Sparta, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

7/14 – Spectrum Health – Gerber Memorial Hospital, Blood Bus, 212 S. Sullivan Street, Fremont, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm

7/18 – Cedar Springs Area Donor Site at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, Gym, 140 S Main St., Cedar Springs, 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm

7/19 – Montcalm Township Hall, Meeting Hall, 1880 S. Greenville Road, Greenville, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

7/19 – Spectrum Health – Big Rapids, Classroom, 605 Oak Street, Big Rapids, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

7/22 – Rockford High School, Farmer’s Market, Downtown Farmer’sMarket, 39 S. Main St, Rockford, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

7/25 – VFW POST 2335, Hall, 1050 W Main St, Mecosta, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

7/26 – Kent City High School, Library, 285 N Main St., Kent City, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

8/07 – Rockford Area Donor Site at the Community Cabin, main room, 220 N Monroe St., Rockford, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

8/14 – Bostwick Lake Congregational UCC, Fellowship Hall, 7979 Belding Rd., Rockford, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

8/14 – Resurrection Lutheran Church, Narthex, 180 Northland Dr., Sand Lake, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

8/14 – Spectrum Health – United Hospital, Conference Rooms Sides A and B, 615 S. Bower Street, Greenville, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

8/15 – Cedar Springs Area Donor Site at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, Gym, 140 S Main St., Cedar Springs, 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm

8/16 – Greenville American Legion Post 101, Community Room, 1320 W Washington St., Greenville, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

8/19 – Knights of Columbus/Holy Family Catholic Church, Carpenter Hall, 425 S State St, Sparta, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

8/19 – West Michigan Annual Car Show, Blood Bus, 6767 Belding Rd., Rockford, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

8/21 – Casnovia Area Donor Site at Casnovia Reformed Church, Meeting Room, 72 S Main St., Casnovia, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm

8/22 – Our Lady of Consolation, Church Commons, 4865 Eleven Mile Rd., Rockford, 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm

8/23 – St. Charles Catholic Church & School – Greenville, McKinney Hall, 505 Lafayette Street, Greenville, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

8/23 – Trinity CRC- Youth Group, Community Room, 660 S. State Street, Sparta, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

One hour, one gift, three lives

During a time of year where many give thanks, Michigan Blood is showing its appreciation for blood donors with a gift of gratitude. An hour of one person’s time means not only the gift of life for three Michiganders, but a gift for the donor, as well.

Starting November 23, the non-profit will give blood donors a freshly baked pumpkin pie, courtesy of Family Fare.

After closing for Thanksgiving Day, blood centers will reopen Friday, November 25, to give thanks to donors with Target or Amazon gift cards. This continues through #GivingTuesday, November 29. On that day, Michigan Blood will also be collecting donations of new school supplies for schools in need in the community.

“We’re inviting blood donors to double their impact—helping people isn’t only limited to blood donation,” said Carleen Crawford, Director of Community Relations and Marketing for Michigan Blood. “Donating school supplies for our area schools in need is just one small way that we can give back to our local communities. We can all contribute.”

Dates and times for the event vary by location. Here are hours for “Thanks for Giving” blood drives in the Grand Rapids Area:

Grand Rapids Area Donor Center

1036 Fuller Ave NE

Wednesday, 11/23: 8am – 7pm
Friday, 11/25: 6am – 4pm
Saturday, 11/26: 7am – 2pm
Sunday, 11/27: 7am – 2pm
Monday, 11/28: 8am – 7pm
Tuesday, 11/29: 8am – 7pm

More information can be found at MIBloodGift.org

Michigan Blood is the sole provider of blood and blood products for more than 60 hospitals in Michigan, including Spectrum Health, Metro Health, and Mercy Health St. Mary’s. Donations given outside of Michigan Blood do not have direct local impact. Donating blood with Michigan Blood helps save the lives of patients in Michigan hospitals. Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 112 pounds may be eligible to donate, although females age 18 and under must weigh 120 pounds or more. Blood donors should bring photo ID. We are currently in urgent need of O-Negative blood donations. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663) or schedule online at https://donate.miblood.org.

“Thank you to blood donors for saving my little girl’s life. Without you taking the time to donate blood, she wouldn’t be here today.” – Jamiee Mentink, mother to premature baby Ava whose life was saved through blood transfusions.

Premature baby girl survives infection after two blood transfusions

As many people nationwide celebrated the special women in their lives during Mother’s Day earlier this month, Michigan Blood is celebrating Jamiee Mentink and her story of becoming a mom for the first time.

In March of 2012, daughter Ava was born through emergency C-section at only 28 weeks, due to Jamiee’s severe illness, preeclampsia. Ava, a tiny 1 lb, 11 oz. at birth, had been doing great in the NICU, but then fell sick to infection. Two blood transfusions were needed to save Ava’s life.

“Immediately after the transfusions, you could see a difference. Ava’s skin turned pink again, and she became her feisty self again,” said Jamiee. “All the medical stuff in the world couldn’t replace the blood that Ava so desperately needed.”

With time, Ava fought her way back to being a healthy, thriving baby. Ava is now a fun, feisty, sweet little girl who is energetic about dance lessons and loved being a wedding flower girl recently. She just celebrated her 4th birthday in March.

Through the experience with Ava, and as the Director of Inpatient Emergency Services at South Haven Hospital, Jamiee realizes first hand the importance of blood donation. She is now a loyal blood donor herself.

“As a nurse I used to give blood to patients regularly, but I feel bad that it took Ava’s experience for me to regularly donate,” adds Jamiee. “Like I did, I think people take for granted that somebody else is donating blood. If people could realize that donating takes just a short amount of time, but it’s something that’s so worth the cause.”

Jamiee also wishes to thank those donors whose blood saved Ava’s life.

“Thank you for saving my little girl’s life. Without you taking the time to donate blood, she wouldn’t be here today.”

To view Jamiee and Ava’s full story, watch their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pisYzF9iGAQ

Upcoming blood drives nearby include:

• 6/03 – Spectrum Health – United Hospital, Conference Rooms Sides A and B, 615 S. Bower Street, Greenville, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• 6/06 – Rockford Area Donor Site at the Community Cabin, main room, 220 N Monroe St., Rockford, 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• 6/09 – Cedar Springs United Methodist Church – 140 S. Main Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a blood drive to support three local students. Emma Orr, Brison Ricker and Bree Town. For every person that attempts to give blood, $10 will be donated. Please call 233-8509 or go to www.miblood.org to make an appointment.
• 6/21 – Cedar Springs Area Donor Site at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S Main St., Cedar Springs, 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

Michigan Blood is the sole provider of blood and blood products for more than 60 hospitals in Michigan, including Spectrum Health, Metro Health, and Mercy Health St. Mary’s. Donations given outside of Michigan Blood do not have direct local impact. Donating blood with Michigan Blood helps save the lives of patients in Michigan hospitals. Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. Blood donors should bring photo ID. We are currently in urgent need of O-Negative blood donations. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663) or schedule online at https://donate.miblood.org. 

Blood donors head to the movies for free!

Lifesaving superheroes aren’t just on the big screen. They are right here in the Grand Rapids community. This holiday, before people head out to see the newest blockbuster movie, Michigan Blood invites them to Be a Star, by donating blood. Everyone who attempts to donate will receive a free movie pass and free popcorn from Celebration! Cinema.

No matter what the season, blood is always needed by patients in hospitals around the state.  In fact, Michigan Blood needs to collect more than 2200 units each and every week. Around the holidays, when people are traditionally traveling, exchanging gifts, or heading to the movies, the number of people donating blood declines. So this year, Michigan Blood and Celebration! Cinema have joined together to make blood donation part of the holiday tradition.

Dates and Times for the Be a Star event vary around the state. To find the location near you, go to miblood.org.  In the Grand Rapids area:

Be A Star

Free movie pass and popcorn for everyone who attempts to donate

Main Donor Center – 1036 Fuller Ave NE

Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24^th 8:00am-3:30pm

Thursday, December 26^th 8:00am-7:00pm

New Year’s Eve, Tuesday December 31^st

8:00am-3:30pm

New Year’s Day, Wednesday January 1^st 8:00am-3:00pm

Thursday, January 2^nd 8:00am-7:00pm

Appointments highly encouraged.

Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood every 56 days. Blood donors should bring photo ID (or two forms of non-photo ID). Appointments are highly encouraged and can be made online at www.miblood.org or by calling 1-866-MIBLOOD.