STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—An alarming 30% decrease in blood donations over the holiday season has prompted the New York Blood Center (NYBC) to declare a blood emergency.
According to NYBC executives, the region’s blood supply has been severely hampered by 6,500 fewer donations, which is alarming because blood is essential for emergencies, surgeries, and trauma care.
All types needed
According to NYBC, there is an urgent need for donations of all blood types, but Types O- and B- in particular are at dangerously low one- to three-day supply.
While blood donations usually decline over the holidays, January presents further difficulties, such as cold temperatures and bad weather; decreased eligibility for donors due to COVID-19, RSV, and the flu; and fewer drives at businesses and schools throughout the holidays.
According to Blood Center management, these elements have put undue demand on an already precarious blood supply, making it very challenging for hospitals and patients to treat chronic conditions.
Despite the fact that hospitals and patients rely on a constant flow of voluntary donors, there have been ongoing, nationwide blood shortages in recent years.
The Staten Island Donor Center in New Springville takes contributions on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of every week. A number of blood drives are scheduled for Staten Island between January 21 and January 28.
Visit the New York Blood Center Donor Center website at donate.nybc.org to schedule an appointment at any local drive.
According to Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president of the New York Blood Center, the months after the holidays are always a challenging time for the blood supply because of a rise in seasonal illnesses and bad winter weather that affects donations. The decline in donations is a stark reminder of how precarious our country’s blood supply is. In order to double the impact, we are encouraging all eligible New Yorkers to start the new year by saving lives. Make a donation today and bring a friend!
According to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, the state is experiencing a severe blood shortage and there has never been a more pressing need for donors. Donating blood benefits people receiving chronic sickness treatments, trauma care, and surgery. He said that your donation could save lives, so please roll up your sleeves and support your community during this blood crisis.
According to James Martone, assistant vice president, clinical laboratory operations, transfusion medicine at Northwell Health Laboratories, the organization is extremely appreciative of its partnership with the New York Blood Center in order to serve the pressing needs of the blood emergency. We express our gratitude to all community blood donors and urge them to step up and help us meet the transfusion needs of our patients both now and in the future. Because of the unselfish kindness of these people, countless lives are saved.
Blood donation is convenient and safe for healthy people.
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with written permission from a parent or guardian). NYBC demands a doctor’s written approval if you are 76 years of age or older. A copy of the letter should be brought to your donor appointment. This letter serves as your proof of eligibility to donate and will be kept on file with NYBC.
Donors must be at least 110 pounds in weight; donors who are 16 to 18 years old are subject to further weight and height limits. After getting a cold or the flu, you must be symptom-free for at least 72 hours. Eligibility may also be affected by recent tattoos, piercings, travel, and certain medical conditions or drugs. Find out more about the typical reasons why people are unable to donate.
National Blood Donor Month, observed in January, strives to increase public awareness of the value of blood donation and the life-saving potential of voluntary blood donors.
This yearly event, which was declared by President Richard Nixon in January 1970, is still essential for increasing awareness and fortifying the blood supply at a crucial time of year.
Platelet donors can donate twice a month, while blood donors can donate every 56 days.
Donors can visit nybc.org or call 1-800-933-2566 to schedule an appointment.
Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, donations are accepted at the Staten Island Blood Center, located at 2791 Richmond Ave., New Springville. Call 800-933-2566 or go to https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/center/38 to make an appointment.
upcoming blood drives in Staten Island:
Tuesday, January 21 from noon to six o’clock at the 123th Police Precinct, located at 116 Main St., Tottenville.
Thursday, January 23: noon to 6 p.m. at the 120th Police Precinct, located at 78 Richmond Terrace, St. George.
Saturday, January 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the St. Christopher’s Church Community Center, located at 136 Midland Ave. in Grant City.
Tuesday, January 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, 1 C-Campus Center, Willowbrook.
Not able to give blood? By contributing money or giving your time to NYBC’s goal, you can still have a life-saving effect. To find out more, click here.
Since its founding in 1964, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) has provided more than 150 hospitals, emergency medical services, and health care partners with more than 500,000 life-saving blood products yearly.
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