Versiti Blood Center of Michigan announces March 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 local communities 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.

Michigan residents can donate blood at one of the following community blood drives in March:

ACME
10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 9
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.

CALEDONIA
2-7 p.m. March 10
Caledonia Community Churches at Holy Family Church
9669 Kraft Ave. SE

WEST BRANCH
5:45 a.m.-11:45 p.m. March 10
MidMichigan Medical Center-West Branch
2463 S. M-30

GRAND RAPIDS
10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 14
West Michigan Women's Expo
303 Monroe Ave. NW

7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 22
Parish of the Holy Spirit
2222 Lake Michigan Drive NW

9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 29
Kentwood Community Church
1200 60th St. SE

ALPENA
7:30-11:30 a.m. March 19
MidMichigan Medical Center Alpena
1501 W. Chisholm St.

LIVONIA
1-7 p.m. March 23
Monaghan K of C Council #2690
19801 Farmington Road

12:30-7 p.m. March 26
St. Colette Church
17600 Newburgh Road

CHESANING
9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24
9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 25
Chesaning High School
805 4th St.

FLUSHING
2-8 p.m. March 27
Thrive Blood Drive at Mayfair Bible Church
5339 W. Pierson Road

FRANKENMUTH
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. March 30
Frankenmuth Insurance
1 Mutual Ave.

Additionally, Michigan residents can schedule their next blood donation at one of these Versiti 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 must present a photo ID that includes their birth date at their appointment.

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

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, formerly 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 70 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.