Red Cross Seeks Help in Replenishing Regional Blood Supply

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (02/11/2008)(readMedia)-- The American Red Cross, Blood Services New York-Penn Region is seeking current and new blood donors to help replenish its blood inventory to a five-to-seven-day level. The Region has a three-day supply of type O-Negative blood, the universal blood type, with an approximate three-day supply of blood overall. The Red Cross requires a five-to-seven day supply of blood to meet routine hospital needs and to respond to emergencies such as Sunday’s 36-car pile up on Interstate 390 South in Rochester due to high winds and snow white-out conditions. To support Rochester area hospitals, the Region sent 38 type O-Negative units, 20 type O-Positive units, and 30 units of group O-Frozen Plasma.

“Our mission is to provide quality blood products to 120 regional hospitals whenever and wherever they are needed,” said Kay Schwartz, chief executive officer, New York-Penn Region. “Sunday’s accident underscores the necessity of maintaining a healthy, stable, and reliable blood supply for routine patient needs as well as emergencies throughout the Region.”

The area’s low blood inventory is also due to the recent cold weather conditions experienced throughout the Region, which has prompted cancelled drives and a decline in donor turnout at regularly scheduled blood drives. To reverse this trend and for the Region to meet all hospital blood needs, the Red Cross urges donors to give blood as soon as possible.

As a thank you, all presenting donors are eligible to enter a random drawing to win a one-year free subscription to the on-line DVD service, Netflix. To register, presenting donors are asked to visit www.pointsforpints.org. The drawing for the entire New York-Penn Region will be held on Monday, Mar. 10.

All current eligible and new donors are strongly 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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