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

City Place, 50 West Main St., 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Rochester

Notre Dame High School, Union St., 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Batavia

Williamson United Methodist Church, 4146 East Main St., 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Williamson

Saturday, Feb. 16

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 825 John Street, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., West Henrietta

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, Perinton Hills Shopping Center, Rt. 31 & 250, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Fairport

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3736 St. Paul Blvd., 8:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Rochester

Parma Greece United Church of Christ, 1211 Manitou Rd., 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Hilton

Hindu Temple, 120 Pinnacle Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Pittsford

Sunday, Feb. 17

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 2590 West Ridge Rd., 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Greece

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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