Gardner-White is partnering with the American Red Cross to host several blood drives throughout Metro Detroit.
There will be blood drives at 10 Gardner-White furniture store locations. The blood drives will be held from 11 a.m. through 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, and on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.
All donors will receive a coupon for $50 off a Gardner-White purchase of at least $399 and be entered to win a $500 Gardner-White gift certificate. Gift certificates will be awarded at each store. Donors who give through August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email.
The Red Cross announced a national blood shortage on Monday. The Red Cross is working with hospitals to meet the need, but products are being sent out faster than donations are coming in. Blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood are needed. The type O inventory is so low that distributions of that blood type are below what hospitals count on.
Schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Blood drive schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. at these locations:
- Ann Arbor, 3725 Washtenaw, 48104
- Novi, 43825 West Oaks Drive, 48377
- Saginaw, 2660 Tittabawassee Road, 48604
- Taylor, 22035 Eureka Road, 48180
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, from 11 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. at these locations:
- Auburn Hills, 4445 N. Atlantic Blvd., 48326
- Canton, 41661 Ford Road, 48187
- Howell, 4101 E. Grand River, 48843
- Shelby Township, 14055 Hall Road, 48315
- Warren, 6500 E. 14 Mile Road, 48092
- Waterford, 4945 Dixie Highway, 48329
Why donating blood is so important
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Donated blood is used for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries.
The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components from volunteer donors. The supply doesn’t always meet demand because only about 3% of eligible people donate blood yearly.
“To know that my blood, O negative blood, is literally the doctors’ and emergency rooms’ first line of defense -- it’s very important for me to donate, and donate on a regular basis.” Ben C., type O negative donor
The Red Cross wants people to be aware of these facts about blood needs:
- Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
- Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S.
- Nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
- Nearly 16 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
- Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
- The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
- Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.
- The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
- One donation can help save more than one life.
The Red Cross wants people to know these blood supply statistics:
- Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood.
- 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.
- About 45% of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%).
- Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
- Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.
- Red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less).
- Platelets must be used within just 5 days.