Red Cross Prepares For Increased Demand In Case Japan Requests Help

 Though the body count keeps rising and emergency teams continue to work after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan and caused a massive tsunami Friday morning, representatives from the American Red Cross said Friday afternoon that their resources had not yet been called in to assist in disaster relief for the area.

 “Japan has not requested the assistance of the American Red Cross, but we are saying to people that we want to be ready in case of an emergency,” said Bridget Tuohey, a representative for the organization’s southeast Michigan arm. “But there is no specific request at this time.”

A request for donations was put out by the Red Cross in February after adverse weather conditions across the nation caused thousands of planned donations to be canceled, leaving available blood levels dangerously low.

In southeast Michigan, seven planned blood drives were canceled Feb. 2 due to the snowstorm that took place that day.

 “At any given moment we have patients relying on life-saving blood products. And this need is constant, even in emergency situations,” said Diane E. Ward, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Blood Service Region of the American Red Cross.  “The quickest help will come from those local blood donors who are able to safely travel to a blood drive or donor center near them. We are encouraging the public to donate blood and platelets as soon as it is safe to travel in the coming days and weeks.”

In terms of giving aid to affected residents of Japan, Tuohey urged only that people participate in existing planned blood drives, which are scheduled regularly throughout the region.

Clinton Township is holding a community-wide blood drive on March 15 and 16. This annual event takes place at six locations over two days, as follows:

TUESDAY, MARCH 15

Clinton Township Senior Center
40700 Romeo Plank
8 am-8 pm

Fifth Third Bank
At Romeo Plank and Hall Road
9am-3pm

Baker College
Little Mack & 15 Mile Campus
12pm-6pm

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

Clintondale High School
35200 Little Mack
8am-8pm

Med Star Ambulance
380 N. Gratiot
9am-3pm

Chippewa Valley High School
18300 19 Mile Road
2pm-8pm

Donors can drop in or make an appointment — which is preferred, as there is no wait, then — by calling Cindy Melitz at 586-286-9313 or e-mailing c.melitz@clintontownship-mi.gov.

To give blood one must be at least age 16 (16-year-olds need a completed Red Cross consent form signed by a parent or guardian — found at redcrossblood.org), and in general good health.

The American Red Cross reminds everyone that one blood donation can save up to three lives. In southeastern Michigan, the American Red Cross needs 900 units of blood each day to supply patient needs at 43 hospitals in five counties.