TROY, MI
- This April, communities across the United States will celebrate the giving
spirit of the American people by recognizing two special events: National
Donate Life Month and National Volunteer Week.
“National Donate Life Month is a way
to honor those who have helped save lives by becoming an organ, tissue, marrow
or blood donor,” says Diane E. Ward, CEO for the Southeastern Michigan Blood
Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We want to encourage more Americans
to follow their example and to help support the donors and families who give so
tremendously of themselves.”
In the United States, more than
98,000 people are in need of an organ transplant. Each day, about 77 people get
the organ transplant that gives them a second chance at life. Transplant
recipients also need blood product during surgery. A liver transplant patient
might need up to 10 units of red cells, 20 units of plasma and one unit of
platelets; a heart transplant patient up to six units of red cells; and a
kidney transplant patient up to two units of red cells.
Donations of blood, marrow and
tissue are also vital to saving countless lives, and for improving the quality
of life for others who are seriously sick or injured. Every day, patients
across the U.S. need an average of 38,000 units of blood.
The next City-sponsored blood drive will be held Thursday,
April 9. Donors can visit one of two
locations to donate. The Troy Community Center, located at 3179 Livernois, will
take donations from 9 am-3 pm. The First Presbyterian Church, located at 4328
Livernois between Wattles and Long Lake roads, will accept blood donations from
2-8 pm.
“Don’t wait another day! Sign up now to give blood at the Troy
Community Center and save a life. “Giving blood is a way for all of us to do
our part to save a life,” said Cindy Stewart, City of Troy Community Affairs
Director. “We need your donations now
more than ever.”
Blood donors must be at least 17 years
old and weigh at least 110 lbs and be in good health. Donations can be given
every 56 days. From start to finish, donations usually take about an hour.
Actual time for drawing blood is about 10 minutes. Please bring a photo ID.
Make an appointment today by calling
the City of Troy Community Affairs Department at 248.524.1147 or visit www.givelife.org for more information on blood donation and
donating blood through the American Red Cross.
National Volunteer week runs April
19 through 25, and also provides a way to recognize the millions of Americans
whose volunteerism helps save and change lives. Estimates are that one in 72
Americans are a Red Cross volunteer or blood donor. Some 700,000 people
volunteer to deliver virtually all Red Cross services in areas such as disaster
relief, health and safety training, and support to military members and their
families. Last year, too, the Red Cross collected more than 6 million units of
blood from about 4 million volunteer donors.
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