St. Clair Shores to Hold Blood Drive

St. Clair Shores officials are again partnering with the American Red Cross to hold a holiday blood drive today in .

For more than 15 years the city has held the blood drive right before Christmas, which is historically a time the Red Cross is in most need for donations as donors prepare for, and celebrate, the holidays.

“We’re asking you to think outside the gift box this holiday season,” said Diane E. Ward, CEO for the Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region, in a release. “The perfect gift doesn’t come with a bow or fit under a tree. Your gift of life comes from within, and it costs nothing more than about an hour of your time.”

The Red Cross needs about 900 blood donors a day to meet the need for hospital patients or platelets for the treatment of diseases like cancer, lifesaving surgeries or for emergency medical care at the 43 southeastern Michigan hospitals.

"Any interested employee, business owner or non-resident can show our community spirit a few days before the Christmas holiday," said Ben Hughes, St. Clair Shores city manager.

Hughes added that the city has a donation goal of 80 pints.

"We hope to meet that challenge," he said.

The American Red Cross will be in City Council chambers in City Hall from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Donors can walk-in, but appointments are encouraged to to call 1-877-505-9527, or go online at redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code: “scspd” to make an appointment.