Community Corner

Can You Help? Red Cross Seeks Donors After Hurricaine Irene

More than 60 American Red Cross blood drives had to be canceled due to Hurricane Irene, creating a shortfall in the nation's blood supply.

In addition to destroying millions of dollars in homes and infrastructure along the East Coast, Hurricane Irene also dealt a terrible blow to the American Red Cross' blood supply.

The storm and its aftermath has forced the cancellation of more than 60 Red Cross blood drives resulting in the shortfall of more than 2,100 units of blood. Additional blood drives in the areas affected by the storm are expected to be postponed in the coming days due to storm damage and power outages as well.

Thus, the Red Cross is urging people in areas unaffected by the storm to donate blood and platelets as soon as possible.

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Downriver, the Red Cross has a donation center at 14031 Pennsylvania Road in Riverview. They also have as many as 17 mobile blood drives throughout Southeastern Michigan each day. To find the drives in a particular area, go this Red Cross website and fill in your zip code.

Nationwide, around 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders. 

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To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, or to host a blood drive in your community, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767. 
 
Be sure to bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.


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