blood-donation-volunteers

Michigan Blood in St. Joe Formally Changes Name to Versiti Blood Next Week

blood-donation-volunteers

They’ve been a part of Versiti Blood Center of Michigan since the middle of last year, but the Michigan Blood Center in St. Joseph will formally change its name next week when they host a Grand Re-Opening Celebration at their permanent donor center on Cleveland Avenue next to the Sandbar & Grille at Cleveland and Lakeshore Drive.

Local residents are encouraged to join the celebration by donating life-saving blood next week at the new Versiti Blood Center of Michigan.

Starting next Wednesday, April 3rd, the St. Joseph donor center will be open from noon-7 pm Wednesdays and from 7 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays at 2710 Cleveland Avenue in St. Joe.

In addition to being able to collect whole blood, the donor center will now be equipped to accept platelet donations. Platelets are small cells needed for normal blood clotting. Nearly 40-percent of platelet donations are used to help people fight cancer.

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Local residents who donate whole blood or platelets on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday next week will receive a free gift bag containing an 11-ounce tumbler, snacks, a special T-shirt, socks and cupcakes as a token of appreciation for their generous gift of life, while supplies last.

Kathleen Ramirez is Donor Services Supervisor at Versiti Blood Center of Michigan. She says, “We’re excited to once again be operating a permanent donor center in the St. Joseph community so our neighbors can help us save lives throughout Michigan and beyond.” Ramirez notes, “We’ve been collecting blood in Berrien County since 2005. Blood is a precious gift for which we can only rely on each other. Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives.”

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan must see 560 blood donors each day to meet the needs of its hospital partners and the patients they treat.

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

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.

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan has collected blood throughout the state since 1955. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, the non-profit organization provides blood products and services to 69 Michigan hospitals. Versiti Blood Center of Michigan collects more than 114,000 units of blood each year at eight donation centers and through the operation of more than 3,400 community blood drives throughout the state. For more you can visit online at: Versiti.org/Michigan.

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan has a nationally recognized stem cell and bone marrow program and created Michigan’s first public cord blood bank. In addition, Versiti Blood Center of Michigan provides therapeutic apheresis and cellular therapies for the treatment of cancer and transfusion medicine consultations.