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January 2020 GIVE Project – Versiti – Michigan Blood

Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Awareness month? During these times, the need for blood is a crucial one. The current pandemic has decreased blood drive attendance, even though the need is still great for donors.

So this January, Klingel Homes wanted to do their part in bringing awareness not only to this need, but to local blood drives in the community where you might be able to help those in need. You never know when you or a loved one would benefit from the ultimate gift of life, through blood donation.

Klingel Homes has partnered with Versiti, formally Michigan Blood, to highlight some of their local Mobile Drive sites as well as answer some of the frequently asked questions about blood donation during the time of COVID-19.

Local Mobile Drives:
February 2nd from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm @ Alive on the Lakeshore (Gymnasium) – 2735 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon
February 3rd from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm @ Health Pointe – 15100 Whittaker Way, Grand Haven
February 9th from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ Grand Haven HS @ Hope Church – 14932 Mercury Dr., Grand Haven
February 15th from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ Olivet Evangelical Church (Gymnasium) – 2175 Marquette Ave., Muskegon

Blood Donation during COVID-19 FAQ’s:

-Are donor center and blood drive staff required to wear face masks?

We are currently following recommendations by the CDC about face masks as well as how to properly defend against COVID-19. Currently it is mandated for our staff to wear a mask at donor centers and blood drives, even though they are dealing with a healthy population. Versiti staff members are following many new safety measures to ensure donor safety, as well as their own.

-Can you do antibody testing if I suspect that I had COVD-19 but do not have a positive confirmation?

Versiti will begin antibody testing on all successfully completed blood donations August 17, 2020. If you’d like to donate blood, you are able to as long as you’ve been symptom free for 14 days.

-Is it safe to donate due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The donation process itself poses no risk of infecting a donor with coronavirus. If you’d like to donate blood, you are able to as long as you’ve been symptom free for 14 days. We are monitoring and adhering to guidance from the FDA. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Embed link for CDC)

We hope you will consider joining us by either supporting one of these local mobile blood drives or making your own financial donation, perhaps in honor of a loved one who was given a blood donation in a time of need. We are so grateful for services like Versiti who work tirelessly to provide the community with safe locations to give blood.