Clinton Township Readies 6 Sites to Host 14th Community Blood Drive

Now in its 14th year, the Clinton Township Community Blood Drive has collected nearly 5,300 pints of blood to date, a record organizers hope to improve upon at this year’s March 12-13 event.

A longstanding township tradition, the blood drive is a community effort, made possible by two dozen local sponsors and countless residents who volunteer their time to man the six donation sites that make this one of the region’s largest drives.

“This drive happens because of the support of the Clinton Township board of trustees, Chippewa Valley school district, Clintondale schools, L’Anse Creuse, Baker College and numerous other volunteers that come together to provide all of the organization skills and donated dollars,” said Bill Sowerby, township treasurer and event founder.

In addition to giving blood, donors also have an opportunity at this year's event to honor an active-duty, disabled or veteran Michigan military person by signing and sending a specially designed card of thanks for their service.

“It’s very important to support our active services as well as our veterans and disabled veterans and what better way to honor them than to give a pint of blood in their honor?” Sowerby said of the event’s “Salute Our Armed Forces” theme.

The Red Cross will also offer donors a vintage Red Cross pin and a chance to win an iPad Mini. And of course, cookies and juice will be available at every donation site, along with special appearances by Rosco the Clown.

“For just an hour of your time, you can make such a difference in saving a life and you never know if that life you are saving is a stranger or a close friend,” he added. “Because the blood supply is dwindling so much, everybody needs to give blood in order to really be that hero to save lives.”

Having collected nearly 5,300 pints of blood in the last 13 years – and with 1 pint of blood having the potential to save up to three lives – donors to the Clinton Township Community Blood Drive have made a difference in approximately 15,000 lives.

Donation Sites

Tuesday, March 12, 2013:

• 8 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Clinton Township Senior Center (40730 Romeo Plank)
• 8 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Clintondale High School (35200 Little Mack)
• 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Clinton Township Police Station (37985 Groesbeck)

Wednesday, March 13, 2013:

• 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m. L’Anse Creuse Schools Wheeler Building (24076 F.V. Pankow Blvd., on the east side of Gratiot, south of Hall Road)
• 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Baker College Little Mack Campus (34950 Little Mack)
• 1 pm.-6:45 p.m. Chippewa Valley High School (18300 19 Mile)

Appointments are given priority over walk-in donors during the drive, so those planning to donate should call 586-286-1768 or go online to www.RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment. Use sponsor code “clintontownship” to select one of the six donor locations.