The County Press

Resolve to give blood with the American Red Cross


LAPEER COUNTY — The American Red Cross encourages Lapeer County residents to help meet the urgent need for blood by resolving to give blood this January — National Blood Donor Month.

Donating blood is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions — sometimes multiple times a week — until she underwent a liver transplant last January.

“Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort,” said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for blood donations.”

The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year.

The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood or platelets regularly, beginning in January.

Local blood drives will be held:

• Jan. 7: From noon to 5:45 p.m., St. Cornelius Church, 3834 N. Mill St. in Dryden;

• Jan. 10: From 12:30-6:15 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 706 W. Flint St. in Davison;

• Jan. 14: From 1-6:45 p.m. at Hadley Community Church, 3638 Hadley Rd. in Hadley;

• Jan. 28: From 2-6:45 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4139, 128 Daley Rd. in Mayfield Township.

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).