NILES —  Michigan Blood is hosting a community blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the large meeting room at Lakeland Hospital, Niles.

Michigan Blood is an independent, non-profit blood bank that is the provider of choice for Michigan hospitals, including Lakeland Health facilities. Community blood drives benefit local patients, including those receiving treatment for trauma, surgery, those with bleeding disorders, and those undergoing treatment for cancer. According to Michigan Blood, one out of every seven people entering the hospital will need blood, and 4.5 million Americans would die each year without blood transfusions.

Any healthy person age 17 or older (or age 16 with permission from a parent or guardian) and weighing at least 110 pounds is welcome to donate blood. Participants should plan on 45 to 60 minutes for the entire donation process, including a brief pre-donation health screening and a snack/rest period following donation.