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Detroit Leads Nation in Minority Blood Donation
Written by
Lesly Hallman
, American Red Cross
Thursday, January 15, 2004 — As the country struggles to eliminate the current blood shortage, the city of Detroit and its Mayor are leading the way in urging minorities to help end the cyclical shortages that blood banks face every year.
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick donated blood today at the Kenneth L. Mitchell Donor Center after hearing about the shortage in his city and nationwide. Detroit has been appealing for additional blood donors since Jan. 5, and has had to delay or cancel elective surgeries at some hospitals because of the limited blood supply.
Delores Patrick, LPN explains to Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick how his blood donation will help save lives. |
“I challenge other mayors and county executives across the nation to give blood and to inspire their communities to do the same,” said Kilpatrick after donating. “Giving blood is a dynamic thing to do, a dynamic way of making a difference. In particular, the African-American community needs to come out to give blood because we are experiencing such shortages.”
According to Diane Ward, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Region, inventories have been low since the end of December. “Our inventory today is basically empty on type O blood,” she said. “We are rationing our supplies to local hospitals to make sure that everyone gets something, but we are not able to meet their entire needs.”
Bad weather, often a cause of winter blood shortages, has continued to hamper efforts to increase blood supplies in Detroit and other cities. “We were starting to see donor turnout increase, but yesterday’s snow took some of that growth away. We are going out to the community to continue to let people know that lives are at stake,” Ward said.
Ward described blood supplies in Detroit as a “gas tank running on empty, running on fumes. No one wants to run on fumes.”
Churches, Community Groups Support Red Cross Efforts
The Red Cross in Detroit has a long history of working with the African-American community to increase blood donations. This is the fourth year of the “Blood of the Martyrs” campaign to commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, celebrated Jan. 15. Their goal is to collect nearly 10,000 units of blood between Jan. 11 and 25 at blood drives in Detroit and the surrounding communities. More than 50 church and community groups are participating in this year’s events.
“This campaign couldn’t come at a better time, and there couldn’t be a better way to honor Dr. King,” said Kilpatrick.
Mayor Kilpatrick presents a City Proclamation designating February as Detroit Blood Donor Month to SEM Blood Services Region CEO Diane Ward. |
In 2002 the Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region started a Sickle Cell Blood Donor program in the Detroit area. The program, operated in conjunction with Children’s Hospital of Michigan, matches nearly 200 children suffering from the disease with a blood donor of a compatible blood type. Those donors sign a pledge and give regularly to ensure that the most compatible blood is on the shelves when a young patient needs it.
Many of the Blood of the Martyr’s Drives are also opportunities for donors to be typed as potential bone marrow donors as well. Kilpatrick and members of his staff also participated in bone marrow typing at today’s event.
January is typically a difficult time for blood banks, after the holidays leave blood inventories in a slump across the country. This year the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks, and America’s Blood Centers have teamed up to end the shortage together.
“Blood of the Martyrs” campaign dates and locations
Jan. 16 – Randolph Elementary School, Livonia; Providence Hospital Medical Center, Livonia.
Jan. 17 – Northridge Church, Plymouth.
Jan. 18 – St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church, Taylor; St. Agatha Catholic Church, Redford; St. Kenneth Catholic Church, Plymouth; St. Peter Lutheran Church, Macomb; St. Alexander Catholic Church, Farmington; St. Fabian Catholic Church, Farmington Hills; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Milford; St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ann Arbor.
Jan. 19 – St. Scholastica Catholic Church, Detroit; Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Birmingham; North Congregational Church, Farmington Hills; St. John’s Episcopal Church, Royal Oak; Beverly Hills Methodist Church, Beverly Hills; St. Timothy Presbyterian Church, Livonia; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Royal Oak; St. John CME Church, Detroit; Discovery Middle School, Canton; Peace Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor; Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ypsilanti.
Jan. 20 -- Knights of Columbus, Armada; St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ann Arbor; U of M Hospital Health Care, Ann Arbor; Sports Club of Novi.
Jan. 21 – Detroit Public Library Staff Association, Detroit; General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights; Novi City Employees.
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