Grand Haven residents get in the spirit of donating blood
Fri, Nov 27, 2009 
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BY ALEX DOTY
adoty@grandhaventribune.com
In the spirit of the giving season, area residents and even Grand Haven city employees flocked to the Grand Haven Community Center Wednesday to donate their blood to the American Red Cross.
"It's fitting for this time of year, and something if we have the opportunity to give blood be on our mind all times of the year," said Grand Haven resident Kris Johnson.
She was one of the many residents who attended the city-sponsored blood drive at the community center on Wednesday, taking time to donate blood to the American Red Cross.
Johnson said donating blood is something she tries to make a regular habit of when she has the time.
"I try to give (blood) every 56 days when your allowed to, but I broke my leg this spring and I haven't given since April," she said, adding her hemoglobin levels were up and she was able to donate blood again.
The Grand Haven event is just one of the many blood drives that take place in communities all across West Michigan on a daily basis by the American Red Cross.
"We run in the Great Lakes region about 15 blood drives a day," American Red Cross Supervisor Dawn Cox said. "That's the west side of Michigan basically."
She said especially during the holiday season, people are busy and many times blood can be at short supply.
"We need to get people in here, the need is usually high during this time," she said.
Additionally, she said people can use the holiday season to make people more aware of what the blood drives are all about and how they can make an impact on other people's lives.
"There's a lot of people who may not be aware of blood drives and what they can do," she said.
With families being together, this can be used as a time to educate and inform one another about the benefits of donating blood.
"It's a good cause and its something you can do for your community," Cox said. "And it's something that will make you feel better."
they can make an impact on other people's lives.
"There's a lot of people who may not be aware of blood drives and what they can do," she said.
With families being together, this can be used as a time to educate and inform one another about the benefits of donating blood.
"It's a good cause and its something you can do for your community," Cox said. "And it's something that will make you feel better."
