Immediate Blood Donations Needed to Address Winter Blood Shortage

Minimal Blood Collections Due to Storms Aggravate Blood Supply

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (02/14/2008)(readMedia)-- What:

The American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region is urgently calling for all eligible donors to help avoid a serious blood shortage. The Region’s blood inventory has become increasingly low due to cancelled drives and low donor turnout during this past week’s severe cold weather and winter snow storms. More than 1,977 units of blood have gone uncollected as of February 1. This equates to a loss of one and a half days supply of blood. Currently, the Region has less than a five-day supply. The optimum inventory level to meet everyday patient needs and to be prepared for large scale emergencies is a five-to-seven-day supply. Donors who had scheduled appointments to give blood but had to cancel are asked to reschedule appointments as soon as they can safely travel. Local American Red Cross blood donor centers and mobile drives will be open throughout the weekend.

Where:

Friday, Feb. 15

Elks Lodge 49, 25 South Allen Street, 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Albany

St. Michael’s Church, 84 Saratoga Rd., 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., South Glens Falls

Fulton Montgomery Community College, 2805 State Highway 67, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Johnston

Pottersville Fire Department, Rt. 9, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Pottersville

Saturday, Feb. 16

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, Crosstown, Rt. 7 & Watt St., 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Schenectady

Living Waters Church of God, 4330 Rt. 50, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Wilton

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 140 Maple Ave, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Altamont

Warrensburg EMS, 3 King St., 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Warrensburg

Sunday, Feb. 17

Congregation Berith Sholom, 167 Third St., 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Troy

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, Everet, 33 Everett Rd., 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Albany

Why:

All current eligible and new donors are urged to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood today by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE 1-800-448-3543) or visiting www.DonateBloodNow.org. Anyone 17 years or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. In New York State, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed New York State Informed Parental Permission for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive. The consent form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16. Identification is required at the time of donation to give blood. 

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