Blood is something that everyone needs, but some people need some help getting it. Blood is something that is always in high demand in the medical world due to its importance. Blood is needed for medical research, procedures, and transfusions. With blood always being needed, blood drives are really important! If you are able and willing to give blood, the Clinton Township Community Blood Drive is a great place to do it! 

With multiple locations and large time windows, there should be an opportunity for everyone to give blood! All you have to do to schedule an appointment is call 586-286-1768 or go online at RedCrossBlood.org and use the code “clintontownship”. The locations and times are as follows: 

February 7th:  

Clinton-Macomb Public Library Main Branch from 10:30am-6:30pm 

Chippewa Valley Highschool from 1pm-7pm 

February 8th: 

Clinton-Macomb Public Library South Branch from 12:30pm-6:30pm 

Clinton Township Senior Center from 8am-8pm 

February 9th: 

Clinton Township Senior Senter from 1pm-7pm 

Clintondale High School from 8am-2pm 

But before you just go and sign up, let’s talk eligibility- not everyone can give blood. You must be between seventeen and seventy-five years of age. You also must be at least one hundred and ten pounds. To give blood you must be healthy and feeling well, and you cannot have given blood in the past fifty-six days. When you arrive at the donation site, they will prick your finger and check your hemoglobin levels. To be able to donate, the level must be above a 12.5 g/dL for women and 13 g/dL for men. If you meet all the requirements, then you’re all set! If you have questions about the requirements, more information can be found on the website here. 

If you don’t meet those requirements, don’t worry! There are other ways that you can help. The easiest way would be to become a volunteer! You can run check-in booths at other blood drives, spread awareness about one’s going on, and meet some interesting people. The Red Cross Blood Services has over 25,000 volunteers, and you could be one of them. 

If you meet the requirements, then go ahead and sign up! Once signed up for the blood drive, you’re pretty much all set! On the day of your donation, be sure to drink plenty of water and wear comfortable clothes that leave your arm easily accessible.  

Arrive at the location at the time of your appointment. After answering a questionnaire and having your hemoglobin levels checked, your blood pressure will also be checked. After, you will be told to sit at the table. Once there, the person administering your donation should clean your arm, hook you up, and then you get to relax! The amount of time it takes to donate varies between people. Once your unit has been collected, you will be told to sit for fifteen minutes. After giving blood, you should drink some juice and eat a snack to prevent yourself from becoming light-headed or passing out. Then you’re free to go! You’ve donated blood and there’s a high likelihood of you getting a sticker that says so! 

After donation, your blood will be sent for processing. Once it’s been processed and tested and deemed safe, your blood will be placed in storage until it is distributed. The blood can then be used for countless things. Your blood could potentially go to cancer patients, burn victims, or those with chronic illnesses. Every single donation counts!