"Because somebody needs it."  That's the answer I give when they ask my reason for donating at the American Red Cross Donor Center in Flint.Both my parents were blood donors, and thanks to their good example, I am also a donor.  The Red Cross not only collects whole blood for use in over 60 Michigan hospitals, but also platelets and plasma.  This is done through a process known as apheresis.  It takes quite a bit longer than a whole blood donation, sometimes more than an hour.  Cancer patients and people needing surgery are most often the recipients.  Because it takes a while to donate these blood products, people like myself prefer to donate on the weekends when there is more time available.  The Red Cross is open for apheresis donations on both Saturday and Sunday and is in need of more "Weekend Warriors".  If you would like to help, call the American Red Cross at 1-866-725-2140.  Because somebody needs it.

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