American-Red-Cross-Blood-Drive 2016During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.

Since 1943, every U.S. president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world. Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters, who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities and bring hope to people facing emergencies.

Blood donor Timothy Sheely knows the need firsthand. His wife required 12 units of blood during emergency surgery following the birth of their son. “If it had not been for blood donors, she might not have survived,” he said. “Thanks to generous blood donors, I still have a wife and my kids still have their mom. I can’t possibly thank those people in person, but I can give a little piece of me back with each donation for the greater good.”

The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed to help those rely on blood products.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Marshall County are:

March 4th from 12:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. at Culver Academies Fleet Gymnasium, 1300 Academy Road in Culver;

March 5th from 3 p.m. till 8 p.m.  at Menominee Elementary School, 815 Discovery Lane in Plymouth; and on

March 7th from 11:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. at the Bremen United Methodist Church, 302 Plymouth Street in Bremen.

Make an appointment to become a hero to patients in need by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).