FROM STAFF REPORTS
TRAVERSE CITY -- Michigan Community Blood Centers has changed its name to Michigan Blood.
The new name is meant to emphasize that blood collected by Michigan Blood stays in the state. It also unites donation centers in four regions around the state under the same name.
Michigan Blood, based in Grand Rapids, provides blood to dozens of hospitals across the Lower Peninsula. Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City are among its clients.
Volunteer donors provide more than 100,000 pints of blood each year at collection sites around Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Flint, Midland, St. Joseph and Traverse City. The drives are organized by community groups, schools, churches, youth groups and businesses.
"Giving blood is an easy way to give back," said Bill Reitscha, CEO and president of Michigan Blood. "Giving blood makes a tremendous difference to the communities where we all live and work -- and may be one of the best ways an individual can do something positive for Michigan."
In addition to its blood donation program, Michigan Blood offers a variety of blood-related services. These include a marrow/stem-cell program, DNA tissue typing, transfusion medicine consultations and the state's pioneer program for collecting blood from the umbilical cords of newborn infants.
