A Special Blood Drive is TODAY in Cedar Springs

Life takes many roads, some good, some bad.

Three months and a day after a tragic fatal accident tore through the hearts of three North Kent County families, communities are coming together to turn this tragedy into lifesaving gifts.

Do you remember the tragic accident that happened on August 23rd of this year?  Wyatt Phillips (16) and Johnny Klaasen (16) of Cedar Springs and Sean Thompson (16) of Sparta were involved in a single car crash on White Creek Avenue NE. Phillips died at the scene when the car he was driving struck a tree. Back seat passenger Sean Thompson was pinned in the vehicle and it took rescuers an hour to free him. He was taken by AeroMed helicopter to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. In the process of his rescue, Sean lost a great deal of blood and he required multiple transfusions.

Today, November 24th, Sean’s family and friends are hosting the #13 Honorary Blood Drive from 9 am – 3 pm at 4011 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs. The Michigan Blood bus will be parked outside Tractor Supply Company, and the drive is named for Sean’s number in football. Sean is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and learning to walk again.
Members of the community are invited to participate in the #13 drive in Sean’s honor. To donate, you must be 17 years old (16 with parental or guardian consent), in good health, and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Appointments are not required, but available through www.miblood.org or by calling 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663).  And, as a way of thanking the community for taking time out of their busy holiday weekend, Michigan Blood will offer every person who attempts to donate a $10 Meijer gift card.

Can you help?  Did you know one out of seven people entering the hospital require blood – not just for accidents but for cancer treatment, chronic disease management, burns and surgery. As we all know, the holiday season can lead to blood shortages because families are busy, but the need for blood never takes a vacation. Every two seconds someone needs blood.

Come to Cedar Springs, donate blood, and save a life.