Metro Detroit family grateful for donations that kept young daughter alive during cancer treatments
Collecting enough blood donations to meet the constant need was a challenge for the American Red Cross before the coronavirus pandemic. Thatโs why one Metro Detroit family wants to make sure that blood is always there for anyone who needs it. โWithout that transfusion, we wouldnโt have been able to make the step two, step three, step four.โThroughout her treatment, blood was critical. The family speaks about their gratitude for her blood donors every day. READ: American Red Cross hosting blood drive in Metro Detroit this weekAppointments are strongly encouraged.
Metro Detroit man has been donating blood for more than 40 years
Dan Graustein has been donating blood since the 1970s. โItโs the most important thing that I do because it has potential of saving somebodyโs life,โ he said. โIn 1974, thereโs a blood competition between Michigan and Ohio State, same week that the football game is, and they compete on who can donate more blood,โ he said. He said that in the past, the American Red Cross would donate your blood to one individual person. โI have donated white blood cells, plasma platelets,โ he said.
Ever thought about donating stem cells, babys cord blood? A few things to consider
What about cord blood? After cutting and clamping the umbilical cord, your doctor will collect the cord blood in a sterile container. The cord blood is mixed with a preservative and frozen at a cord blood bank until its needed by a patient. Information about the cord blood donation is entered into the NMDPs registry, which can be searched by doctors nationwide. Cord blood donation, by the way, poses no known risk to the mother or infant.
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor treats COVID-19 patient with recovered individualโs donated plasma
ANN ARBOR โ Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has treated its first COVID-19 patient with plasma donated by a recovered individual at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor hospital. Eleven patients at St. Joeโs were among the first to be registered nationally for the trial. Along with St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, three other health system member hospitals are participating in the program, including St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, St. Mary Mercy Livonia and Mercy Health Muskegon. In addition to the Mayo Clinicโs convalescent plasma program, St. Joeโs Ann Arbor is also participating in Gileadโs Remdesivir Expanded Access Program. Similar to the plasma program, only patients with life-threatening symptoms who require ventilator support are eligible for the remdesivir program.
Red Cross faces severe blood shortages amid coronavirus outbreak, calls on healthy donors to contribute
As of March 23, there have been 7,000 Red Cross blood drive cancellations around the U.S., resulting in more than 200,000 fewer blood donations, officials said. With cancellations on the rise, Red Cross is facing a severe shortage of blood, officials said. The Red Cross will continue to host blood drives to provide much needed blood to those in need, officials said. Blood drives are exempt from bans on social gatherings, as they provide necessary resources that canโt be bought or manufactured. Click here to make an appointment to donate blood to the Red Cross in your area.
Versiti blood donation center to remain open amid โstay-at-homeโ order in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. โ Versiti Blood Center of Michigan will remain open amid the stateโs โstay-at-homeโ order due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. RELATED: Coronavirus in Michigan: Hereโs where we stand as of Tuesday morningUnder Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs executive โstay-at-homeโ order, residents may leave their homes for Healthcare and Public Health Operations -- which includes visiting blood, plasma and platelet donation centers, officials said. โVersiti Blood Center of Michigan supplies blood to nearly 80 hospitals across the state," said Versiti Chief Medical Officer Thomas Abshire. Those interested in donating can schedule an appointment by calling 866-642-5663 or visiting their website here.