‘Tis the Season to Give Blood
Make an appointment to donate Dec. 23 at the annual Holiday Blood Drive.
Make an appointment to donate Dec. 23 at the annual Holiday Blood Drive.
KALAMAZOO (Dec. 16, 2022) – The hustle and bustle of the holidays, coupled with seasonal illnesses like the flu and winter weather, can impact the nation’s blood supply. Blood donations help ensure new moms, premature babies, cancer patients and accident victims have access to safe, lifesaving blood.
The American Red Cross invites the community to give blood at its 37th annual Holiday Blood Drive to be held from 7 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 W. Michigan Ave., in Kalamazoo.
For the seventh year, the blood drive will be held in memory of Lisa Zuk, a Kalamazoo public safety sergeant and generous blood donor who passed away in 2015 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
“This time of year is traditionally hard on the nation’s supply blood supply so we’re asking for our community to help by scheduling a time to donate blood,” said Adam Castle, executive director of the Red Cross Southwest Michigan Chapter. “By giving blood at our Holiday Drive, you’ll be honoring Sgt. Zuk’s life as well as helping others who are in need of lifesaving blood.”
To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Use code HolidayKalamazoo. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use Blood Donor App.
MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz | david.olejarz@redcross.org | 313-303-0606
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.