It’s Summer – Patients Need Us to Donate Blood!
Three Big Challenges for the Summer of 2009
New York Blood Center (NYBC) and its divisions in Manhattan, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Brooklyn / Staten Island, and New Jersey are facing three big challenges this season to maintain an adequate and safe blood supply for hospital patients, including:
Number One: Concerns About H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Some high school blood drives have been canceled, and several schools have been temporarily closed. The canceled drives have meant the loss of at least several hundred potential donations. Blood drives that have proceeded have resulted in double digit percentage decreases in donations versus the same period last year. NYBC has communicated with its volunteer chairpersons, encouraging healthy people to continue to seek out blood drives.
Number Two: The Economy
The recession has meant the closing of workplaces, and that has resulted in the loss or reduction of some corporate, non-profit, and government blood drives. Group-sponsored blood drives account for 80% of NYBC’s collections.
Number Three: Here Comes Vacation Season!
Schools close for the summer, and workers go on vacation. There are fewer people available to donate blood.
Our Call to Action: Organize a Blood Drive!
Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the summer. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.
To donate blood, please call:
Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or
Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org