East Michigan News

MidMichigan Medical Center - Gladwin issued the following announcement on June 16. 

In a response to a critical blood shortage, and in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, MidMichigan Health will host multiple community blood drives in the coming weeks.

“Like so many hospitals across the country, MidMichigan stopped performing elective surgeries and procedures early on in the COVID-19 crisis in a further effort to decrease exposure to patients and staff. This also allowed the health system to practice conservation of supplies,” said Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, MidMichigan Health. “Now, with the continued decrease of COVID-19 cases in our health system and service area, we have reopened our services and need to ensure blood products are readily available for our patients. We urge all who are able to donate much needed blood to do so and help meet the demands of patient care.”

Upcoming drives are scheduled for:

• Alpena – Thursday, July 16, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MidMichigan Medical Center – Alpena, Auditorium. Enter through the hospital entrance.
• Clare – Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., MidMichigan Medical Center – Clare, Talent Center Conference Room. Enter through the hospital entrance.
• Gladwin – Tuesday, July 21, noon to 5 p.m. MidMichigan Medical Offices – Gladwin, Community Education Room. Enter through the Medical Offices (southwest) entrance.
• Gratiot – Friday, June 19, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., MidMichigan Medical Center – Gratiot, Wilcox Auditorium. Enter through the hospital entrance.
• Midland – Thursday, July 2, 2 to 7 p.m., MRI Building Lobby, (old Orchard Building), on the campus of MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland. Sponsored by the MidMichigan Trauma Program. Donors will receive two bike helmets for participating.
• Mt. Pleasant – Wednesday, July 22, noon to 5 p.m., MidMichigan Medical Center – Mt. Pleasant, Conference Room 1200. Enter through the main (north) entrance.
• West Branch – Tuesday, July 7, 5:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., MidMichigan Medical Center – West Branch, Executive Dining Room. Enter through the hospital entrance.

Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to give. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date. Donors will be required to wear a mask. Versiti has several additional safety measures in place. Those wishing to review these measures may visit www.versiti.org/home/coronavirus-information.

To register for a donation appointment or to view more dates and locations for community blood drives, visit https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/zip.

Original source can be found here.