MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - 56 days. That is the amount of time it takes for the human body to replenish the red blood cells lost after donating blood. According to the Red Cross, A majority of the population can not give blood, whether it be for travel reasons, low iron or perhaps a recent tattoo. Jeff Smith highlights the importance of participating.

"The Red Cross is in a constant need for blood. Approximately 38 percent of the public is eligible to donate, only a fraction of those people donate," said Smith, the Donor Recruitment Representative.

It takes around an hour for the whole process of giving blood, from the moment you walk in, until the snacks and drinks at the end.
Jodie Miller has worked for the Red Cross for 26 years and knows the importance of giving blood and stresses the shortage of blood.

"We are always trying to play catch up. We never have enough on the shelf that gives us that surplus where we don't need certain types," said Miller. "We always need pretty much every type."

The types of blood determine who can receive those donations. An interesting fact Jodie shared is O negative blood can be donated to every blood type, however, it can only receive other O negative blood. Every two seconds a blood transfusion is needed in the United states, so Jeff's job is to set up blood drives at various locations.

Jodie said that The Red Cross hopes for 500-600 pints a day from the Great Lakes Region and those donations are tested for diseases such as HIV, Malaria and Hepatitis.

"And that just goes to show you how far we have come in regard to testing blood and making it safe," said Miller.
"And you feel pretty good about helping somebody when you are done."