Giving Back Is in Her Blood

How One Employee Makes Blood Donation a Lifesaving Habit 

Munson employee Beth Joseph has routinely rolled up her sleeves to donate blood for as far back as she can remember. It’s in her blood, the Munson Healthcare Foundations Charitable Giving Officer explains.

My maternal grandfather gave blood as often as he could—to the point of complaining that he was big, strong, and healthy and should be allowed to give more often. He took pride in his great veins and being able to help others, she says. He often impressed his grandkids and anyone who would listen with the running total of gallons that he had donated. I inherited my ‘good veins’ from him and an O blood type from my paternal grandfather, who was also proud to give blood but rarely could because of his diabetes and vascular issues.

Beth is just one of many Munson employees who give back in this unique way. This gift of time (about an hour each donation) and vital fluid helps hospitals like Munson’s continue critical, life-saving interventions that require blood transfusions.

Like many people, Beth first started donating blood from time to time in her teens, but when a good friend’s baby was born with a heart condition requiring numerous blood transfusions, she felt powerless to help until her friend reminded her of the importance of donating regularly. Since then, Beth gives blood about every three months, most times right in her community, and often at Munson’s Manistee Hospital.

During the Walmart incident in July 2025, many of the victims received life-saving blood donations. Many people are aware of big events like this, but what most people don’t know is just how often blood products save the lives of our trauma patients, explains Munson Medical Center Trauma Program Manager Valerie Gingrich, RN. Many injuries require multiple units of blood. It’s the effort of multiple people donating blood that can save just one life.

Starting this month, Munson Medical Center will begin using whole blood transfusions and stocking our partner North Flight Aeromed with whole blood for pre-hospital transfusions. Whole blood is used to treat patients who’ve experienced significant blood loss (after an accident, for example) and require all the components found in blood, including packed red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Blood donation centers like Versiti typically separate these components before shipment to hospitals. Munson Medical Center will soon receive whole (type O) blood to help improve outcomes for our most at-risk trauma patients.

Hemorrhage, or blood loss, continues to be the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. after injury. Many studies have shown improved outcomes and lower mortality rates with early administration of whole blood. Gingrich says.

The ongoing blood shortage is a powerful reminder that it takes a village. Our communities count on all of us. Munson urges you to help by giving the gift of blood. Donations such as this mean saved lives. Click below to find a drive near you and schedule your donation today.