Red Cross Partners with Barbershop Harmony Society to Increase Regional Blood Supply

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (05/05/2008)(readMedia)-- It can be done on the way to the gym, before or after your child’s Saturday softball game or in between errands; yet only five percent of the eligible population currently gives blood. In an effort to increase the regional blood supply, the Electric City Chorus of the Schenectady Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, will hold a community blood drive with the American Red Cross.

The drive will be on Saturday, May 10, at the Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 33 Everett Road, Albany, from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The drive is part of a larger effort of the Barbershop Harmony Society, which in partnership with the Red Cross, is hosting a “Singing for Life” event at select donor blood recruitment centers throughout the country and Canada.

The statistics are clear. About every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Every day, 34,000 donations are needed in the United States to help save the lives of cancer patients, accident victims, children with blood disorders among others. This affects every member of our community, where they work, live and play, whether it’s a friend, family or neighbor who needs blood. Just one pint of blood can help save as many as three lives.

All current eligible and new donors are strongly urged to call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.DonateBloodNow.org to schedule an appointment. Blood donors must be at least 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. In New York State, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed Informed Parental Consent for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive. The consent form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16.

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