The American Red Cross is in serious need of blood ? and St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Goodrich is doing its part to help.
The church, located at 7296 S. Gale Rd., is hosting a blood drive Aug. 19 from 1-6:45 p.m. St. Mark’s parish nurse Karen Thornton is spearheading the church’s blood drive.
She said St. Mark’s has been holding blood drives for about 1-1/2 years, with the target being 40 pints of blood collected.
‘Usually, anywhere from 50-60 people show up,? she said. ‘We’ve met our goal every time except for the last. We’d really like to have a good turnout this time around.?
Typically, donations decrease in June, July and August due to people being busy with summer activities, as well as high schools and colleges being out for the summer, according to Genesee-Lapeer American Red Cross chapter spokesperson Rebekah Murray.
However, with the recent decrease in donations ? the Red Cross estimates they have dropped 10-15 percent since May ? the need for donations is especially great, she said.
Murray said there is less than a day’s supply for O-positive and O-negative type blood, but the Red Cross has a limited supply of all types of blood.
‘We just have over 24 hours? supply for each type,? she said. ‘We’d like to have 3-5 days? worth for each. We always see a decrease between June and August because 25 percent of our donors are high school students.?
Murray also said the blood supply of the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region Blood Services has fallen to its lowest point in four years, potentially endangering the lives of patients.
Thornton said there are a number of other factors that have caused a decrease in donations in the Genesee-Lapeer area.
‘Blood donations in this area have significantly dropped since GM moved out of the area,? she said. ‘They used to have really good blood drives. We’ve had to turn more people away recently than in the past because of the number of diseases that have come up, such as SARS.?
Thornton said those donors with appointments to the St. Mark’s blood drive will be given first priority, but walk-in donors are welcome as well.
Donors at the St. Mark’s drive are served something decidedly different than the usual juice and cookies, according to Thornton. She said those donating during wintertime drives are served soup and homemade bread, while those in the summer are served pasta salad.
Details: Call Thornton at 810-694-1734.