Versiti Blood Center of Michigan hosts December blood drives

Together, Versiti Blood Center of Michigan and blood donors across the state make a life-saving difference through the gift of blood donation. Patients in need of blood tomorrow rely on the generosity of blood donors today.

Versiti is calling on residents throughout Michigan to make a life-saving donation this month. All blood types are needed, especially O-negative blood, which is the universal blood type given to patients in emergency situations and those undergoing surgery. Residents can donate blood at these local community blood drives in December:

CADILLAC
12:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 2
LifeHouse Assembly of God, 1120 W. Division St.

COVERT
9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 3
Palisades Energy, 27780 Blue Star Highway

DETROIT
7 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 3
Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 W. Grand Boulevard

GLADWIN
Noon-8:30 p.m. Dec. 5
Gladwin Community, 1312 N State St.

GAYLORD
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 6
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital, 825 N. Center Ave.

ALMA
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10
MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot, 300 E. Warwick

GRAND RAPIDS
6 a.m.-4 p.m. DEC. 13
Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, 100 Michigan Ave. NE

8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 18
Steelcase GRBC, 901 44th St. SE

PORT HURON
1-8 p.m. Dec. 13
YMCA of the Blue Water Area, 1525 3rd St.

HOLLY
1-9 p.m. Dec. 17
Holly Calvary United Methodist Church, 15010 N. Holly Road

MANISTEE
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 18
Little River Casino Resort, 2700 Orchard Highway

GREENVILLE
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 18
Greenville American Legion Post 101, 1320 W. Washington St.

LIVONIA
12:30-9 p.m. Dec. 19
St. Colette Church, 17600 Newburgh Rd.

KENTWOOD
Noon-7:05 p.m. Dec. 26
Kentwood Area Donor Site at Heritage Baptist Church, 1570 60th St. SE

WAYLAND
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 26
Gun Lake Casino, 1123 129th Ave.

In addition to these drives, Michiganders can donate life-saving blood at any Versiti Blood Center of Michigan donor centers:

Grand Rapids: 1036 Fuller NE
Kalamazoo Area: 524 E. Milham Ave., Portage
Saginaw: 1771 Tittabawassee Road
Traverse City: 2575 Aero Park Drive
Grandville: 3140 Wilson SW
St. Joseph: 2710 Cleveland Ave.
Bay City: 1017 N. Johnson St.
Midland: 825 E. Main St.

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.

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-866-642-5663 or visit Versiti online.

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, formerly known as Michigan Blood, has collected blood throughout the state since 1955. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, the non-profit organization provides blood products and services to nearly 80 Michigan hospitals. Versiti collects more than 114,000 units of blood each year in Michigan at eight donation centers and through the operation of more than 3,400 community blood drives throughout the state.