LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The American Red Cross is urging Michiganders to roll up their sleeves and donate blood this February in honor of Black History Month.
Regional Communications Manager for The American Red Cross Michigan Region, Todd Kulman says that blood, platelets and plasma are greatly needed and that COVID-19 survivors are also needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage, because they may have antibodies that could help patients battling the virus.
The American Red Cross honors the accomplishments of both Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland for their contributions to the Red Cross and for patients in need of lifesaving blood products.
Drew, an African American surgeon, was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood
could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today.
As the first African American chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors, Holland was passionate about blood research. His commitment to providing the safest possible blood
products for patients in need helped inform many safeguards the Red Cross has in place today to not only protect patients but also blood donors.
More information on donating can be found by logging onto redcrossblood.org
