Noah Johnson Daily Press Community Blood Center team member Cheemeng Lee checks on donor Jane Anderson as she donates blood Friday in Escanaba.

ESCANABA — OSF St. Francis Hospital, the Community Blood Center and Northern Lights YMCA teamed up to host a blood drive Friday in Escanaba.

The drive is hosted every eight weeks or six times a year by OSF.

“We actually are the sole supplier of their (OSF) blood if I remember correctly,” Addie Schilling, member of the Community Blood Center team, said.

Over 30 individuals signed up or walked in to make a difference, including Jane Anderson, who said donating blood “is the good thing to do.”

After the donations are collected, they are transported to Appleton, Wis., where they are processed before being distributed to roughly 40 hospitals across the U.P. and Wis.

“It’ll go to all of those first. We also help and support any major natural disasters as well, provided we have the extra supply outside of what we need,” Schilling explained.

Each donor provides roughly a pint of blood when they donate.

Schilling explained the process of donating, saying she recommends making an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome.

“They’ll come in, fill out their paperwork, read their educational material. Then they’ll go to the screening process where we will do vitals, go over the questionnaire with them, make sure they don’t have any questions or concerns,” she said.

After completing the initial paperwork and screening, donors are taken to the draw floor where a staffer walks them through the blood drawing process.

After donating, donors are taken to the snack table for refreshments before heading out.

Once the donor feels comfortable enough to leave, they meet with the front desk to sign up for another donation in eight weeks when they are eligible.

She added it’s very important for donors to have a meal and a healthy amount of water the night before donating, especially for those who are not frequent donors.

Schilling spoke about the importance of giving blood, saying it is always needed across local communities.

“The best saying that I’ve ever heard since starting here is only 10% of the able-body population donates, but 100% expect it to be there when they need it,” she said.

“A lot of conversations I have with donors; it really only becomes apparent across their mind to come in because somebody needed it, somebody they love needed it.”

She explained there is always a blood shortage, as the demand is always high, and organizations race to replenish the supply.

“For how much we go through, it will never be matched on the need” Schilling said.

The Community Blood Center, in conjunction with OSF St. Francis Hospital, will be back at the YMCA on April 18.

To learn more about the blood drive, visit www.communityblood.org or call (800) 280-4102.