KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Red Cross is encouraging citizens of all racial and ethnic groups to donate blood or platelets to help diversify blood donation supplies.
According to an official press release, patients with rare blood types or those who receive regular blood transfusions, blood must be matched closely to reduce the risk of developing complications from transfusion therapy.
For example, the Red Cross notes that sickle cell anemia is most common among people of African descent or Latino descent, and that the best match may be someone of the same racial or ethnic group.
In the Kalamazoo area, there will be several opportunities for citizens to donate blood in the next few weeks, all of which are listed below.
Portage:
9/24/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Speedy Computer Rescue, 576 Romence Road, #123
Kalamazoo:
9/26/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
10/1/2019: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., All-Phase Electric Supply, 1355 King Hwy
10/1/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Court
10/3/2019: 11 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Western Michigan University College of Health & Human
Services, 1240 Oakland Drive
10/3/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
Galesburg:
10/4/2019: 9 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Bell’s Brewery, Inc, 8938 Krum Ave
Parchment:
10/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Parchment United Methodist Church, 225 Glendale
Portage:
10/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Portage Community Outreach Center, 325 E. Centre Avenue
Kalamazoo:
10/10/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
10/11/2019: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Schools – District Office, 1220 Howard
Street
Portage:
10/12/2019: 10:15 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo:
10/14/2019: 10:15 a.m. – 3 p.m., Michigan Department of Transportation, 1501 East Kilgore
