The gift of blood is the gift of life: American Red Cross Blood drive Dec. 20 at Botsford Hospital

Botsford Hospital will hold a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Friday, December 20. All eligible donors are encouraged to spread hope this holiday season by giving a gift that doesn't cost a thing: a blood donation. 
 
Blood donations will be accepted between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room inside the Zieger Center, which is on the campus of Botsford Hospital at 28050 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills. Walk-ins will be accepted until 5 p.m. Donors are urged to visit www.givelife.org and enter "Botsford" as the sponsor code to register for this blood drive. Or, donors may contact Amy Bowes, Botsford's Employee Services Department, at (248) 888-2610. 
 
This drive will include double red cell donations in addition to whole blood donations. Double red cell donation is done with the help of an apheresis machine, which collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. Red cells are the most transfused blood component, and certain blood types are often in short supply. Certain requirements apply for double red cell donations.  
 
For more than 20 years, Botsford Hospital has been a site for American Red Cross sponsored blood drives. According to the American Red Cross, more than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell disease and other illnesses. One donation can save up to three lives.  
 
In order to donate blood, you must be 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. While there is no upper age limit for donors, some medical conditions, medical histories, prescription drugs, and recent travel to some foreign countries limit donor eligibility. For more information on these restrictions, call the Great Lakes Blood Services Region at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to the American Red Cross web site at www.givelife.org.