Blood donations tend to drop at hospitals and clinics across Michigan at this time of year.
That's why officials are urging Michiganders to consider rolling up their sleeves to give a lifesaving gift.
Dan Fox, with the American Red Cross, says between school vacations, snowy weather and busy schedules, the number of blood donations drop over the holidays, while the need for blood in local hospitals remains constant.
"These could be car accident victims, trauma victims; they could be people undergoing surgery, women going through childbirth, premature babies, cancer patients,” says Fox, “Every two seconds, somebody in this country needs a blood donation."
The Red Cross estimates one in ten people admitted to the hospital will require a blood transfusion.
In Michigan, donors must be at least 16 years old, in good health, and weigh more than 110 pounds.
Nearly 40% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, but less than ten percent actually do each year.
