A Summertime Push for More Blood Donations
If you’re planning for a summer of easy beachgoing and barbecues, keep in mind that summertime is also a time when blood supplies dwindle nationwide due to lack of donations.
The New York Blood Center issued an emergency appeal for blood donations over this past weekend. The blood center needs to receive more than 2,000 volunteer blood donations daily for transfusions at 200 hospitals in New York and New Jersey.
“Many Americans will be celebrating the unofficial start to summer this Memorial Day weekend, but seasonal activities that bring joy to so many can also lead to a shortage of blood and platelet donations when regular donors become busy,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships for the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Patients don’t get a summer holiday from needing lifesaving blood and platelet donations and are counting on generous volunteers to help maintain a sufficient supply this summer.”
The Red Cross estimates that, during the summer months of June, July and August, about two fewer donors schedule an appointment to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need.
Blood banks remind volunteers that each pint of blood donated can help save as many as three lives. In order to give blood, you must be between the ages of 17 (with written parental permission) and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. People ages 76 and over can give blood if they meet other eligibility requirements and have written doctor’s permission.
Some other environmental factors — such as recent tattoos or recent trips to areas of the world where blood-borne diseases are prevalent, also disqualify potential donors, and donors must wait eight weeks between donations of whole blood and 16 weeks between double red cell donations.
There are numerous blood drives scheduled throughout the East End over the next couple months. A full list is below. To schedule donations or to find out if you are eligible to donate, visit the New York Blood Center’s web page, online here.
Monday, June 13
East Quogue Fire Department
465 Montauk Highway, East Quogue
2 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 19
Hampton Bays Knights of Columbus Hall
31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, June 23
Riverhead Charter School
3685 Middle Country Road, Calverton
2 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 25
Church of the Redeemer
13225 Sound Avenue, Mattituck
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 29
Hampton Bays Public Library
52 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays
1 to 7 p.m.
Monday, July 11
Flanders Fire Department
19 Firehouse Lane, Flanders
2 to 8 p.m.
Monday, July 18
Tanger Outlet Food Court
Tanger Drive, Riverhead
2 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 26
Shelter Island EMS Department
12 Manwaring Road, Shelter Island
2 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 28
Riverhead Town Senior Center
60 Shade Tree Lane
Aquebogue
2 to 8 p.m.
Monday, August 1
Amagansett American Legion Hall
15 Montauk Highway, Amagansett
11:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Monday, August 8
Peconic Bay Medical Center
1300 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
