The WILX-TV “Blood Saves Lives” Telethon Is Wednesday

WILX-TV and the American Red Cross are partnering for the "Blood Saves Lives" telethon. If you can, please make an appointment to give blood now to help make sure that there are blood products available for those patients who need them. The telethon happens Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on WILX-TV News 10. 

Giving blood is so very important because according the the American Red Cross:

o Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. 

o One blood donation may help save more than one life. o Each day, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 2,500 platelet and about 13,000 blood donations at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. 

o Donated blood and platelets are perishable. Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days, so they must be replenished constantly. There is no substitute for donated blood. 

o Blood and platelets are needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. 

o There is a critical need for blood during the winter, when blood supplies are short.

And here's a really cool fact. Michigan is the #1 state for blood donations! So here's how we can all keep up the good work. You can schedule your blood donation here and during the telethon, you can call WILX-TV at 517-393-0110 to schedule, too.