For Immediate Release
June 18, 2018
Contact: County Executive Press Office
631-853-4000 | Press.Office@suffolkcountyny.gov
SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE BELLONE URGES LONG ISLAND RESIDENTS TO DONATE BLOOD
New York Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency In New York Area
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that the New York Blood Center (NYCB) has officially declared a blood emergency throughout the New York City area and is encouraging all eligible Long Islanders to donate blood. The NYCB is in need of blood donations within the areas of New York City, the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New Jersey. In order to maintain a safe blood supply, a 7 day inventory of all blood types must be continually replenished. Currently, reserves are below that minimum leading into the critical summer months.
“One single donor can be the difference between life and death,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “I encourage all Suffolk County residents to take an hour out of their day to visit a local blood donation center and help someone in need.”
“Every single day, blood donations help save lives – and right now, the need is critical,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director of Donor Recruitment for New York Blood Center. “We’re calling on everyone to do what they can to spread the word, host a blood drive or simply take an hour out of their day to donate.”
It is absolutely critical to maintain a full inventory during the summer when less people are likely to donate while out of school or on vacation. The NYCB urges all eligible residents to donate throughout the months of June, July and August to ensure they reach an adequate supply in the coming months. Companies and organizations are encouraged to hold a blood drive this summer as an effort to replenish the blood supply.
The entire donation process takes less than an hour and a single donation can be used to save multiple lives. Donors with O-negative blood type, or “universal donors,” are especially encouraged to donate, as their blood can be used in emergencies. Nearly 2,000 donations are needed each day in New York and New Jersey alone. About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion, and with a limited shelf life, supplies must be continually replenished. Just one pint of blood has the possibility of save up to three lives. If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing crucial blood products to patients in need, please consider hosting a blood drive or volunteering at a local blood drive.
The announcement of the blood emergency coincided with the national call for donors on World Blood Donor Day, which took place on Thursday, June 14. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the dire need of safe blood as well as expressing gratitude to blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving donations.
For more information on where to donate or how to set up your own drive, visit www.nybloodcenter.org/blood or call 1-800-933-2566.
About New York Blood Center: Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the world. NYBC, along with its partner organizations Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Missouri (CBC), Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve local communities of more than 45 million people in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT), Mid Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD), the Kansas City metropolitan area, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England.
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