KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The American Red Cross will be holding its 35th annual Holiday Blood Drive in memory of Lisa Zuk this week.
The 14-year veteran of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) passed away on November 30, 2015 after a battle with breast cancer. The Holiday Blood Drive will be held on Christmas Eve this year, Thursday, December 24.
“Lisa was a long-time blood donor and received a number of blood products during her treatment,” account manager for the Red Cross Cindee Schiebel said in a statement. “This blood drive is a chance for donors to give the gift of life while keeping Lisa’s memory alive.”
Lisa Zuk. (Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross).
According to the Red Cross, blood and platelet donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules and vacation plans can cause some donors to be less available to give.
The Holiday Blood drive will take place December 24 from 7 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Radisson Hotel & Suites, located at 100 West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo.
Donors who participate in this event will receive a Red Cross holiday long-sleeved shirt, while supplies last. Officials say blood donors of all types are welcome, but are looking specifically for types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative.
Officials also note that all blood, platelet and plasma donations are being actively screened for COVID-19 antibodies. The tests may indicated whether someone’s immune system has produced antibodies, regardless of whether they developed symptoms of the virus or not.
Officials say those antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions, which is currently seeing increased demand.
More on the Red Cross antibody screening can be found here.
In addition, donation events are following several health precautions while the pandemic is ongoing. Those include temperature checks, face masks for donors and staff, social distancing and more.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
In order to schedule an appointment, donors can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
In addition, representatives of the Red Cross spoke with WKZO about this event last Tuesday. To hear that interview, click here.
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