"Red Cross blood saved my life," said Rita Parker of Clio. Twenty two years ago, the McKinley math teacher was in a car accident that nearly took her life. She ended up needing 41 units of blood.

After that experience, Parker became a community advocate for blood donations. She encourages everyone to donate blood.

"I wouldn’t be here without it," Parker said.

Parker started volunteering for the Red Cross in 1990 and every week she trains new volunteers and works the registration table at blood drives.

"If you’ve never donated blood before, try it," Parker said. Giving blood only takes about an hour and can help save the lives of up to three people.

Help is needed to provide a consistent supply of safe, available blood. Fewer and fewer people take the time to give blood – only just 5 percent. Yet, ninety-seven percent of Americans will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime.

As donations are decreasing, more people than ever need blood donations to stay alive. Patients in Michigan hospitals need about 2,000 blood products daily for medical treatments related to cancer, surgeries and other serious illnesses. As in Parker’s case, a car crash victim can sometimes need transfusions of up to 40 units of blood in just a few hours.

The key to a stable blood supply is regular blood donations from healthy, dedicated people who want to save lives. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. For information on upcoming blood drives call 1-800 GIVE LIFE.

The Flint Blood Center is open every week:

Mondays & Wednesdays, Noon - 5:45 p.m.

Fridays, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

American Red Cross

Flint Blood Center 

1401 S. Grand Traverse