TROY, Mich. -

One Michigan dealership group is responding to what has been called an “urgent need” for blood donors at numerous hospitals in the Southeastern part of the state.

The fifth annual American Red Cross Blood Drive, sponsored by The Suburban Collection dealership group, is set for Monday. This event calls for blood donors to help meet the needs of patients in 43 Southeastern Michigan hospitals.

"Each year, we’ve exceeded our previous year’s total and we intend to do that again," said David Fischer, Jr., general manager of The Suburban Collection.  "Our employees are really behind this effort and take pride in meeting and exceeding their individual goals for recruiting donors."

And this time around, there is an added incentive for donors.    

Officials explained that everyone who comes to donate blood will be entered to win one of seven special gifts donated by The Suburban Collection: a 60 inch flat screen TV; an iPad2 and five $100 gift cards.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the event, Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region chief executive officer  Diane Ward noted, "On Feb. 13, old and new donors alike can provide an early Valentine’s Day gift to their community by visiting one of the blood drives at five of The Suburban Collection dealerships.

"The Red Cross is thankful for The Suburban Collection’s sponsorship and for the many donors who will join in our life-saving mission,” she continued.

American Red Cross nurses and volunteers will staff the five different locations:

•    Ann Arbor – Suburban Chevrolet Cadillac, 3515 Jackson Road.
•    Farmington Hills – Suburban Honda, 25100 Haggerty Road.
•    Sterling Heights – Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, 40333 Van Dyke Ave.
•    Waterford – Suburban Ford of Waterford, 5900 Highland Road.
•    Troy – The Suburban Collection (former Hummer facility), 1755 Maplelawn Drive.

Donors can make an appointment by logging into  www.SCblooddrive.com.