Donors Aid Red Cross Effort

Russ Hager, a volunteer for the American Red Cross, takes blood from Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bradley. "I think everyone should be doing this," Mr. Hager said. "If these people are here donating their time, everyone should do it. It's helping someone else's life get better." A donation from one person could save up to four lives.

American Red Cross held a blood drive at Community Hall Wednesday, August 15, to give Island residents, summer workers, and visitors the opportunity to donate blood to Great Lakes region hospitals, which stretch from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, more than 213 miles.

Kathy Andress has been organizing the event at Community Hall for four years.

"It's about saving lives and giving back to the area," she said.

One blood donation by a single person could save up to four lives. Four million people need blood every year, one patient every 12 seconds.

Mike Bradley, assistant chief of the fire department, said, "I think everyone should be doing this," said Mackinac Island Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bradley, while donating his blood.

The American Red Cross is in desperate need of O+ and Oblood donations, preferably two units, and although it takes 35 minutes to donate, it is a rare type that they are always on the lookout for.