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Red Cross blood drive scheduled June 17 at Oaklawn Hospit

MARSHALL – A new public blood drive is planned Tuesday, June 17, at Oaklawn Hospital.

The collection will take place between 9 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. at the front entrance of the hospital at 200 N. Madison St., said Kyle Ann Keller, Oaklawn Hospital’s Development Coordinator.

Registration will be conducted in the lobby. Valet parking is available free of charge to those who arrive at the hospital’s front entrance.

“Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds,” said Keller, who works with members of the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary in assisting American Red Cross officials during the blood collection.

“There’s a persistent need for blood, even though sometimes providing a good supply can be a real challenge,” Keller said.

The Great Lakes Blood Services Region of the Red Cross, based in Lansing, supervises blood-collection activities in a 65-county area, including Calhoun County.

On average, the American Red Cross must collect about 15,000 pints of blood every day, Keller said. Nationwide, about 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers continue to be in need of updated blood supplies to serve patients.

“We hope people will consider making an appointment to give blood at this event,” she said.

Potential donors may schedule appointments by calling (800) RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or by visiting the website RedCrossBlood.org and entering the code MOLH. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins also will be accepted.

Another Oaklawn-supported blood drive is planned Aug. 21 at the Oaklawn Life Improvement Center. Additional information about the drives may be obtained by contacting Keller at kkeller@oaklawnhospital.com or (269) 789-3903.