Michele Keil of the Memorial Blood Center is amazed at the number of donors in rural Cook County. As she announced the next round of blood drives, she said, “A big thank you to the Cook County community for their life saving gift!”
Keil said, “In 2013, donors in Grand Marais gave 347 units to help patients in need. One donation saves three lives, so up to 1,041 patients were touched by the donors in Grand Marais alone.
“Our largest blood drive in the Northland happens in Grand Marais during the month of July. Coordinated
by Rosemary Lamson, this blood drive has grown to be a two-day blood drive! This year we have 129 slots we are hoping to fill over two days,” said Keil.
Several groups currently take turns sponsoring the blood drives in the area: Cook County North Shore Hospital, Cook County High School, St. John’s Catholic Church, Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church, Grand Marais Cornerstone Community Church, and the Grand Marais Community Blood Drive—spearheaded by Rosemary Lamson at the Cook County Senior Center.
“We couldn’t carry on our life-saving mission without our dedicated sponsors and donors,” said Keil, again saying, “Thank you!”
In July, blood drives will be held for the Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder communities on Monday, July 14 from 2:30 – 6 p.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church. To sign up, call Polly at (218) 663-7398.
The next two days in July, blood drives will be held in Grand Marais. Call Rosemary Lamson to sign up for the blood drive at the Cook County Senior Center on Tuesday, July 15 from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call Rosemary at (218) 387-1758.
Also on Tuesday, July 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., there will be a blood drive at Grand Portage Health Services. To sign up, call Vivian at (218) 475-2235.
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