Red Cross Urges Businesses and Organizations to Sponsor Blood Drives

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (06/22/2007)(readMedia)-- Summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline by 10 to 15 percent, mainly because high school and college students are on hiatus, which account for 20 percent of the region’s blood supply. Additionally, the summer decline in blood donations is a result of people vacationing. As more people participate in outdoor activities, a greater number of physical injuries occur. As a result, the need for blood to treat injuries typically increases as well.

To help ensure that its daily blood inventory is maintained, the American Red Cross, New York-Penn Region is urging corporations and other organizations within the Hudson Valley area to hold a blood drive this summer. The Red Cross is the primary blood supplier to Hudson Valley hospitals and a critical blood supplier to counties south and to the New York City area hospitals, with an annual distribution of more than 114,000 units of blood and a blood collection of only 8,024 units within these areas. Increased blood drive sponsorships will help ensure our hospitals have the blood they need to meet increased needs during the summer months. While the benefits of a sponsorship program help the Red Cross and the community, they also have a positive impact on companies and organizations. These include:

• Co-ensuring a healthy workforce. Considering that one in three people will need a blood product transfusion in their lifetime, many employees may directly benefit from a healthy community blood supply.

• Boosting employee morale. A recent Cone/Roper Report indicated that 87 percent of employees at companies with cause programs feel a strong sense of loyalty to their employer.

• Building community trust and goodwill within the company. A recent Cone/Roper Report indicated that 8 in 10 Americans say that corporate support of causes wins their trust in that company.

“Surprisingly the number one reason most people state for not donating blood is that they are never asked,” said Kay Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, New York- Penn Region. “Our hope is that businesses and organizations will heed our challenge to step up this summer and sponsor a blood drive.”

Statistics show that only five percent of the eligible population nationwide and only four percent of the population in the New York-Penn Region gives blood. Any business or organization willing to sponsor a blood drive this summer should call Carrie Harrison, 1-845-471-7106.

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 New York State 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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