Blood drive at West Michigan Research Facility.

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WEARE TOWNSHIP — Versiti Blood Center of Grand Rapids will add another blood drive in Oceana County beginning Monday, May 23.

This new set of blood drives will be at the West Michigan Research Facility at 5185 N. Oceana Drive the fourth Mondays of May, July, September, November, January and March from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The bimonthly drive already scheduled for the first Thursday of February, April, June, August, October and December will continue as usual.

All attempting donors will receive a Versiti umbrella and have a chance to win a $75 e-card to stream their favorite movie or download the latest game.

“We’ve had such great success with our first set of drives, we are hoping that by adding a different day of the week with a different time, we will be able to attract new donors. We’ve been fortunate to hold community blood drives in the Hart area since October of 2015, and since that time, have been able to collect 1,300 units of blood, saving well over 3,000 lives,” said Caitlin Gallagher, account representative for Versiti.

The donation process takes about an hour. Following registration, donors will answer a brief health questionnaire and meet with a Versiti staff member for a health check. Donors should also plan to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Water and snacks will be available both prior to and after donating.

Appointments are available by contacting Site Coordinator Kathy Roskam at 231-861-6353 or krcmmom@hotmail.com. Donors may also call 866-642-5663 or visit https://www.versiti.org/hartcommunity.

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