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Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
A Happy and Fulfilling Life ... and a Chronic Illness
by Tom Rademacher, Veteran Grand Rapids Press columnist and long-time Michigan Blood donor
The majority of us enjoy many years of life – full decades, in some instances – before we
encounter a major roadblock or setback.
For Tanjanika Taylor of Saginaw, though, the world turned potentially ominous when we
was just two months old. Fifty blood transfusions and a diagnosis of ...
Why Diversify The Blood Supply?
Blood is blood … isn’t it? The answer may surprise you. We all know there are eight
different blood types, but did you know that every unit of blood is unique? You see,
blood carries many different markers, called antigens, and these antigens make all the
difference. Add Saturday, September 21, 2013 to your calendar! Read on to find out why.
“Love Michigan” this Fourth of July
We’re making it easy for you to “Say Yes to Michigan” this Fourth of July when you say
yes to helping patients in Michigan hospitals who need blood. Our popular Love Michigan
blood drive is back and runs July 1-3 and 5 in designated centers throughout the state.
Every person who attempts to donate will receive a Say Yes to Michigan t-shirt designed
by The Mitten State, plus a reusable Meijer tote bag filled with Michigan-made products.
4 Easy Ways to Help Save Lives While Playing Golf
Golf offers many health benefits, from breathing fresh summer air to walking the 18 holes.
But at Thousand Oaks Golf Club on August 26, you can help save the lives of people not
even on the golf course.
Celebrating 92 Million Heroes Around the World
Did you know there is a worldwide day of celebration to recognize people
just like you?
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and centers around the campaign,
“Give the gift of life: donate blood,” to recognize the value donated blood has to patients.
Go Blue ... Go Blood
Michigan Blood will host its first blood drives in Ann Arbor this summer, partnering with
Blood Drives United, a University of Michigan student-run organization! The July 8 and
August 1 drives are open to the community, so help spread the word!
Mission Moments In the News
We work hard to keep Michigan Blood’s lifesaving mission in the spotlight and were
featured in several recent news stories throughout the state. Here’s a snap shot:
June 2013
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
A Happy and Fulfilling Life ... and a Chronic Illness
by Tom Rademacher, Veteran Grand Rapids Press columnist and long-time Michigan Blood donor
The majority of us enjoy many years of life – full decades, in some instances – before we
encounter a major roadblock or setback.
For Tanjanika Taylor of Saginaw, though, the world turned potentially ominous when
she was just two months old.
That’s when Tanjanika was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder
that can cause an array of problems from bacterial bone infections, heart-related ailments,
renal failure, visual problems and more.
But as graciously as Tanjanika lists the hurdles she’s overcome – stroke, shortness
of breath, dehydration, extreme pain, congenital heart failure and hypertension – she’s
just as quick to say this: “Being diagnosed with a disease does not mean that’s the end
of your life. You can lead a very happy and fulfilling and whole life, even while having a
chronic illness.”
Those are sage words from a young woman of just 27. But then again, you have to
realize that she’s packed a lot of life – challenges included – into those 27 years.
That would include 50 blood transfusions, all necessary because from time to time,
Tanjanika’s red blood cells are unable to help produce enough oxygen necessary for
normal body functions.
“The blood transfusions,” she explains, “help to get oxygen to my vital organs, so I can
recover.”
One of the most critical times in Tanjanika’s life occurred a decade ago as a high
school student at Arthur Hill High School. During her senior year, she was hospitalized for
a massive infection, and while being treated in the intensive care unit, suffered a stroke on
top of her existing medical challenges.
But again, in true Tanjanika style, she doesn’t dwell on the negatives associated with
that trying episode in her life.
Instead, she accentuates the positives.
And perhaps that’s why Tanjanika Taylor, who for the time being is an online student at
Delta College, likely will emerge one day as a dynamic professional speaker.
She’s already registered herself with the State of Michigan as a limited liability company, eager to establish herself as a formidable force on the speaking circuit.
She calls her fledgling business “Make It Make Sense,” so ordained because, in Tanjanika’s words, “we need to make sense out of the health care system, and that means
addressing one’s emotional state, which is an important part of healing.”
She goes on to say that “If you are depressed, it is that much harder to get well. But if
you bring yourself up and say, ‘I’m dealing with these challenges and they’re not going to
stop my life,’ then you are that much closer to being physically well.”
Tanjanika draws her power in part from her parents – Joyce Redfearn and James Taylor – who both have worked as ministers, and teamed together to raise Tanjanika and her
eight younger siblings.
“They taught me to have faith,” she says. “So I do have my belief in God to rest on.
I don’t know if I could live the life that I live if I did not believe that there was something
bigger than myself out there.
“I don’t believe that things happen by luck or chance, and so I take every day one day
at a time.”
Tanjanika is an apt person to represent Michigan Blood – not only because of her positive attitude – but because she’s an advocate for a campaign gaining ground that’s called
“Diversify the Blood Supply.”
Earlier this year, she served as a keynote speaker at a consortium of more than two
dozen community leaders representing Great Lakes Bay regional businesses, the health
care industry, community service providers, faith-based organizations, educational institutions and local media, all of whom converged at Saginaw Valley State University.
Tanjanika joined other voices in calling for more African-Americans to donate blood,
and to also step up to serve as ambassadors, mentors and event planners.
Tanjanika doesn’t have to dig deep for data that draws attention to those like her, who
suffer from sickle cell disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, sickle cell
affects 90,000 to 100,000 Americans. The disease occurs in about 1 in every 500 AfricanAmerican births. And about 1 in 12 (8 percent) of African-Americans carry the sickle cell
trait.
While other speakers at the diversity event focused on strategies and processes,
Tanjanika brought something unique to the podium: The face of a real person who has
struggled, and who is at the mercy of all peoples to help provide a strong supply of blood
– for herself, and for others.
continued on next page
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
A Happy and Fulfilling Life ... and a Chronic Illness
continued from previous page
“I want people to understand the importance of diversifying the blood supply,” says
Tanjanika. “Nobody can sustain themselves. We all need help at one time or another, even
if we don’t realize it. We don’t do anything on our own.”
“Someone had to birth you,” she continues. “Someone had to teach you. Someone
had to nurture you. And someone had to help you with gaining knowledge, or in a financial way.”
The same is true, says Tanjanika, when it comes to blood. “We can’t manufacture and
hoard what we need for ourselves. Instead, we rely on a larger community of people from
all walks of life to chip in and donate.”
Tanjanika points out that providing blood “is vital to the community. And it’s vital in
more ways than just one. “It’s not just life-sustaining for the recipient, but it also gives the
donor a sense of purpose in their lives.
“People always think, ‘That’s for someone I don’t know.’ But you don’t ever know if
someone you love – someone from your own family – is going to need that blood. Accidents and emergencies happen all the time.”
Tanjanika looks with fondness upon Michigan Blood and like organizations, noting how
“Without that key component, I’d never be able to receive blood transfusions. I wouldn’t
be able to live my life. I would be dead.”
Some people have valid excuses for not being able to donate blood. But too many,
says Tanjanika, fail to recognize it as a gift, a transformational one that many healthy
people just don’t consider often enough, if at all.
“With the economy being what it is,” Tanjanika emphasizes, “people aren’t always able
to give financially. But by donating blood, you’re giving something greater than money.
“You are essentially saving a life.”
Hear Tanjanika tell her story
Video – short version
Video – long version
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
Why Diversify The Blood Supply?
Blood is blood … isn’t it? The answer may surprise you. We all know there are eight different blood types, but did you know that every unit of blood is unique? You see, blood carries many different markers, called antigens, and these antigens make all the difference.
Often the best match for chronically ill patients in need of regular blood transfusions
will come from a donor of the same ethnic background as the patient. For example,
African-American blood donors have blood traits that can help other African-Americans
with certain life-threatening illnesses like sickle cell anemia. Yet less than two percent of
African-Americans donate blood.
That’s why diversifying the blood supply is a top priority for Michigan Blood. While blood
donations from all ethnic groups is critical, Michigan Blood is raising awareness about
the need for African-American donors. As the blood products provider to more than 40
hospitals in our state, Michigan Blood is committed to raising awareness about this need
to ensure the best care for patients in need of life-saving blood transfusions.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
In our quest to raise awareness, Michigan Blood is hosting a community blood/marrow drive and health expo on September 21 in Saginaw. For every person who attempts
to donate, Michigan Blood will donate $10 to the Saginaw County Sickle Cell Support
Group. Tell your friends and family, or even donate yourself!
Saturday, September 21 • 10 am – 4 pm
Willie E. Thompson Middle School, 30211 Court Street, Saginaw MI 48602
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Diversity Matters Flyer
Diversify the Blood Supply FAQ
Tanjanika video, short version
Tanjanika video, long version
June 2013
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
“Love Michigan” this Fourth of July
We’re making it easy for you to “Say Yes to Michigan” this Fourth of July when you
say yes to helping patients in Michigan hospitals who need blood. Our popular Love
Michigan blood drive is back and runs July 1-3 and 5 in designated centers throughout
the state (see schedule below). Every person who attempts to donate will receive a Say
Yes to Michigan t-shirt designed by The Mitten State, plus a reusable Meijer tote bag
filled with Michigan-made products (see below).
“Michigan Blood is hosting Love Michigan because we face special challenges during
the summer,” explains Jim Childress, VP of Community Relations at Michigan Blood. “Our
awesome student blood donors contribute 22% of our blood – but most are out of school
during the summer. And families are busy with summer activities and vacations. That’s
why Michigan Blood is working even harder to be sure the blood is there for patients in
Michigan hospitals who need it.”
We know people donate blood out of the goodness of their heart. And Love Michigan is
our way of saying thank you.
Hours at our Donor Centers have expanded for Love Michigan, and appointments are
encouraged. Call 866-MIBLOOD (642-5663) to set a convenient appointment today! And
then be sure to take a cool picture of yourself in your new Love Michigan t-shirt – or one
from previous years – and post it on our Facebook page before Labor Day for a chance to
win another free t-shirt from The Mitten State. Like us on Facebook for full details.
GRAND RAPIDS DONOR CENTER
1036 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503
Monday
July 1
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
July 2
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 3
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 5
TRAVERSE CITY DONOR CENTER
2575 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City MI 49686
Monday
July 1
10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday
July 2
10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 3
10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
July 5
ST. JOSEPH DONOR CENTER
2710 Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph MI 49085
Monday
July 1
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
July 2
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
SAGINAW DONOR CENTER
(At Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene –
just down the street from our main donor center)
Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene
1815 Tittabawassee Road, Saginaw MI 48604
Monday July 1
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
July 2
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 3
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
DOW DIAMOND DONOR CENTER
825 East Main Street, Midland MI 48640
Monday
July 1
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday
July 2
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 3
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 3
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
July 5
July 5
BAY CITY DONOR CENTER
1017 North Johnson Street, Bay City MI 48708
Monday
KALAMAZOO AREA DONOR CENTER
524 East Milham Avenue, Portage MI 49002
July 5
July 1
Wednesday July 3
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Noon – 7:00 p.m.
MIDLAND DONOR CENTER
at Midmichigan Medical Center
4005 Orchard Drive, Midland MI 48670
Tuesday
July 2
Noon – 7:00 p.m.
Friday
July 5
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
4 Easy Ways to Help Save Lives While Playing Golf
Golf offers many health benefits, from breathing fresh summer air to walking the 18 holes.
But at Thousand Oaks Golf Club on August 26, you can help save the lives of people not
even on the golf course.
Fore for Life is a charity golf tournament hosted by Michigan Blood and benefiting the National Marrow Donor Program’s Be the Match® Registry, which is affiliated with Michigan
Blood. Each year, 12,000 patients turn to the Be The Match® Registry in hopes of finding
a suitable donor match for a lifesaving marrow transplant. Thousands are diagnosed each
year with leukemia, lymphoma, or one of 70 other life-threatening diseases for which a
bone marrow or stem cell transplant may be the best hope for a cure. Michigan Blood is
dedicated to recruiting 2,500 new Registry members in 2014 and to raising the funds to
cover the $100 cost of the tissue-type testing necessary to match donors with patients.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
Registration/Sponsorship Form
1. Register for the Fore for Life Charity Golf Tournament
• Golf includes lunch, dinner/auction, snacks, and beverages
• Registration form Deadline: August 19, 2013
• Golf Foursome ($500)
– Complimentary food/beverages throughout the day
– Gift bags and gift
– 4 Mulligans
• Individual Golfer ($130)
– Complimentary food/beverages throughout the day
– 1 Mulligan
2. Register for the Dinner and Silent Auction (included with golf registration)
If you can’t golf with us, join us for the dinner and auction right after the tournament,
$35 per person without golf
3. Sponsor the Tournament
Sponsorships are key to making this fundraiser a success. Please consider being
a Gold Sponsor, Silver Sponsor, or Bronze Sponsor. You can even sponsor a hole,
snacks, or a sign. See all the opportunities on the Registration/Sponsorship Form.
4. Donate to the Auction
The auction is another important part of this fundraising event. Consider donating
an item or experience, or make a monetary donation toward the purchase of an
auction item.
For details or information about any part of the Fore for Life Charity Golf Tournament and
Auction, please contact Kona Dominick at kdominick@miblood.org, or call 616-233-8516
or 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663) toll-free in Michigan. You can also visit us online at www.
miblood.org/fore-for-life-2013.
ADDRESS AND SCHEDULE
Thousand Oaks Golf Club
4100 Thousand Oaks Drive NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
11:00 am – Registration & Lunch
12:30 pm – Shotgun Start (4-person, 18-hole scramble)
5:00 pm – Cash Bar & Silent Auction Open
5:30 pm – Dinner, Raffle, and Awards
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
Celebrating 92 Million Heroes Around the World
Did you know there is a worldwide day of celebration to recognize people
just like you?
World Blood Donor Day, celebrated every year on June 14, thanks voluntary, unpaid blood
donors, like you, for their commitment to saving lives and raises awareness about the
need for blood around the world. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and
centers around the campaign, “Give the gift of life: donate blood,” to recognize the value
donated blood has to patients.
The first official World Blood Donor Day took place in 2004 and was hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa. Each year, a country that has made major achievements in blood donation hosts the global event. This year’s celebration took place in Paris, France. June 14
was chosen for the celebration to recognize the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian
scientist who received a Nobel Prize for his discovery of ABO blood groups.
Around the World
This year, events were held from the Ukraine to India to Malaysia to the United States.
And, of course, there were celebrations in the host country, France. Events took place
all over India, from special blood drives, to workshops, seminars and street plays. In Sri
Lanka, 100 milestone donors were personally thanked by the president. Nigeria hosted a
full week of events starting with services at prominent mosques and churches, sporting activities, and a cultural celebration with dances, drama, choreography, and donor
awards.
Here in Michigan
The generosity of blood donors is extraordinary! And blood donors are of vital importance
to Michigan Blood and to our community. Over the past five years, on World Blood Donor
Day we welcomed 1,628 donors to Michigan Blood centers across the state, and we collected 1,247 units of whole blood. This year, along with thanking everyone who makes the
heroic commitment to save lives, we are recognizing Michigan Blood’s Top Ten Donors*
statewide with exhibits in each of our donor centers and a special web page where they
tell us why they started giving blood. And in July we will expand the KUDOS section on
www.miblood.org to recognize and thank donors who received a gallon+ pin since
January 2013. This list will be updated every six months.
Michigan Blood’s Top 10 Donors*
38 Gallons
William Sebold, Frankenmuth
37 Gallons
Kenneth Appleton, Flint
Dick Benjamin, Holland
Jack Nelson, Big Rapids
35 Gallons
Thomas Muller, Coopersville
34 Gallons
Melvin Wood, Rockford
32 Gallons
Mark Mortensen, Kent City
Robert Fowler, Saginaw
Elmer Scholten, Jenison
Jerald Vincent, Hemlock
*Statewide numbers as of March 2013. The list does not include a very special group
of donors who give platelets, plasma, or double red cells exclusively through a process
called apheresis. We will be honoring this dedicated group as part of our fall education
campaign, so stay tuned for more details!
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
Go Blue ... Go Blood
Michigan Blood will host its first blood drives in Ann Arbor this summer, partnering with
Blood Drives United, a University of Michigan student-run organization! The July 8 and
August 1 drives are open to the community, so help spread the word!
Monday, July 8
Noon – 6 pm
Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room
Thursday, August 1
Noon – 6 pm
Michigan Union, Rogel Ballroom, 2nd Floor
For more information about the July 8 drive, click here.
To make an appointment for the July 8 drive, click here.
Sharing stories, fun facts, and an insider’s look @ Michigan Blood.
June 2013
Mission Moments In the News
We work hard to keep Michigan Blood’s lifesaving mission in the spotlight and were
featured in several recent news stories throughout the state. Here’s a snap shot:
Every wonder why O-negative blood is so special? Health Correspondent Val Lego
tells the story in this WZZM-TV 13 report.
Mother’s Day was a perfect time to get the word out about the benefits of donating cord
blood after child birth. WWMT-TV 3 in Kalamazoo told the special story here. Dr. Lee Ann
Weitekamp, Michigan Blood’s Vice President of Quality and Medical Services, wrote a
letter to the editor of several newspapers across the state, including the Kalamazoo
Gazette, and the May edition of Women’s Lifestyle Magazine included an article titled
“A Mother’s Day Gift: The Gift of Life in a Few Simple Steps.”
Grand Valley State University students won an award with their participation in the annual Colleges Care Challenge. Learn the two categories where they finished first here.
Students at Rockford High School produced this cool video to help other students host
successful blood drives. Great job!
Dan Eagles has been donating blood for 60 years, and recently helped a student give
blood for the first time. Read about the Greenville man here, and about the changes he’s
seen in six decades of giving blood.