Join Us For The WILX-TV “Blood Saves Lives” Telethon

100.7 WITL is joining WILX-TV and the American Red Cross as they partner for the "Blood Saves Lives" telethon. We would like everyone who can to 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 and the News 10 personalities will be joined by WITL's Banana Don & Stephanie McCoy from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

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.

Thank you from all of us at 100.7 WITL, News 10 and the American Red Cross.