Red Cross Recognizes Donors for Giving the “Gift of Hope”

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (06/03/2008)(readMedia)-- OPPORTUNITY FOR COVERAGE

The American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region, will honor 50 individuals for their many contributions as platelet and plasma donors on Thursday, June 5, at Daniele’s Banquet Specialists, 8360 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Patients suffering from cancer, leukemia, aplastic anemia, or trauma or who are in need of transplant or bypass surgery benefit most from either platelet or plasma transfusions. This special type of donation is referred to as apheresis and it allows a donor to give only one part of his or her blood: platelets, plasma, granulocytes (white blood cells that have granules in the cytoplasm), or red blood cells. The needed component is retained, and the rest is returned back to the donor.

Guest speakers at the event include: Alicia DeTraglia, M.D., hematology, internal medicine and oncology; Tiffany Lott, mother of platelet recipient, Brennen Lott; Doug Churcher, volunteer apheresis recruiter and platelet donor; and Eva Fietkiewicz, special education teacher, Little Falls Middle School and platelet donor.

All current eligible and new donors are urged to schedule and keep appointments to donate platelets or plasma today by calling 1-800-545-4086, or by visiting www.DonateBloodNow.org/Apheresis. Anyone 17 years or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may be eligible to donate.

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