|
|
|
West Michigan Blood Bank To Celebrate Golden Anniversary
GRAND RAPIDS: Michigan Community Blood Centers, an independent nonprofit blood bank that provides 100 percent of the blood supply for hospitals in this area, will mark its 50th anniversary with an open house at its corporate headquarters and donor center at 1036 Fuller, NE, on Tuesday, October 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A special ceremony at 4:30 p.m. will feature a brief recap of the blood bank’s 50-year history, a tribute from area legislators, and the dedication of a permanent information wall in the building’s lobby.
Michigan Community Blood Centers President and CEO Norman L. Felker, Sr., will welcome guests to the ceremony, which will feature speakers Joseph Mann, MD, Blood Center Board Chairman, and Philip McCorkle, Saint Mary’s HealthCare President and CEO as well as Blood Center Board member. A special highlight of the ceremony will be a tribute from Michigan legislators, recognizing Michigan Community Blood Centers contributions to community wellbeing since 1955. A reception with light refreshments will follow the ceremony.
Several volunteer blood donors are scheduled to donate their 50th pints of blood at the Fuller Avenue center on October 11, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary festivities.
Founded in eastern Michigan in 1955, Michigan Community Blood Centers has provided blood to hospitals in Kent County since 1967. Across the state, Michigan Community Blood Centers provides 100 percent of the regular blood supply in four major regions with a combined population of more than 1.5 million, including Antrim, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Clare, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Kent, Leelanau, Manistee, Midland, Osceola, and Saginaw counties.
While the Blood Center’s primary mission is to provide a safe, adequate supply of blood to communities in its service areas, it also offers other life-saving, blood-related services such as support for marrow and stem-cell transplant patients and their families, marrow donor registry, and Michigan’s first Cord Blood Bank. Michigan Community Blood Centers also is a member of America’s largest provider of blood and blood-related services: America’s Blood Centers, a nationwide network of community blood banks that together provide 50 percent of America’s blood supply and 100% of Canada’s blood supply.
This year, Michigan Community Blood Centers expects to collect well over 95,000 pints of blood to provide for the needs of 23 hospital facilities that care for patients from all over Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Interview and photo opportunities available 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and also following the ceremony.
© Michigan Community Blood Centers
|
|
|
