KALKASKA, MI (May 24, 2007):  Because of a construction project at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, the site of Michigan Community Blood Centers Kalkaska Community Donor Center, monthly blood drives that are usually held in the hospital’s Conference Room will be shifted to other locations beginning June 14. The drives will continue to take place on the second Thursday of each month, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

New Kalkaska Community Donor Center sites during the temporary relocation will be as follows:

JUNE 14 – American Legion Post #480, 406 Hyde Street, Kalkaska

JULY 12 – Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Education Building, 419 South Coral Street, Kalkaska

AUGUST through DECEMBER – Blood Bus, in parking lot at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, 419 South Coral Street, Kalkaska

At the June 14 drive only, donors also may join the National Marrow Donor Program international registry of prospective marrow donors. People wishing to join the registry must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in good health. Minority donors are especially needed. The best chances of matching donors with transplant candidates are found among people who share the same racial or ethnic background. It is estimated that marrow/stem-cell transplant could benefit more than 35,000 patients with life-threatening diseases each year.

A nonprofit blood bank, Michigan Community Blood Centers in Northwest Michigan collects blood in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, and Osceola counties to provide 100 percent of the regular blood supply for hospitals in those counties, including all Munson Health System facilities, West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, and Spectrum Health-Reed City Campus. Across the state, Michigan Community Blood Centers is the sole provider of blood for hospitals in four major regions with a combined population of more than 1.5 million.

© Michigan Community Blood Centers