Red Cross Needs Blood Donors After Hurricane Irene

Demand is up for blood after Hurricane Irene ripped through the East Coast, according to the American Red Cross.

The storm forced the cancellation of more than 60 Red Cross blood drives, resulting in the shortfall of more than 2,100 units of blood, according to a Red Cross release.

Many more drives might be postponed due to power outages.

Largely unaffected by Irene, Michigan blood drives are in full swing to help get sufficient blood levels.

With a blood donation center nearby and several blood drives coming up, Trenton residents should have no problem donating a little blood of their own.

The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations.

Here is a list of places to donate in the Trenton area:

• An American Red Cross Donation Center, 14031 Pennsylvania Road, is located in Riverview and is open from 1 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The donation center will be closed Wednesday Aug. 31.
• The Lincoln Park Police Department is holding a blood drive at the Lincoln Park Skating Center, 1419 Southfield, in Lincoln Park on Aug. 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Moose Lodge in Woodhaven (#966), 22951 Van Horn, is sponsoring a blood drive on Sept. 13.
• The , 18650 West, in Trenton is sponsoring a blood drive on Sept. 20.

More than 44,000 blood donations nationwide are needed to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders, according to the release.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, or to host a blood drive in your community, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

Please be aware that the Red Cross anticipates an unusually high call volume over the next several days from those directly affected by the hurricane and thus you may experience long delays.