The community blood supply in Suffolk County has been reduced to critical levels, County Executive Steve Bellone announced on Friday.
There is less than a one-day supply of O-negative “universal donor” blood, which can be transfused into anyone in trauma situations when there is no time for blood typing, Bellone said. In addition, supplies of types B-negative and A-negative are also very low.
The shortage, Bellone said is “due to multiple calendar hurdles, lower-than-normal donor turnout, plus high demand from area hospitals.”
“I encourage anyone who is capable of giving blood to please do so as soon as possible,” Bellone said. “Our are blood supply is extremely low and it is imperative that we do all we can to increase the supply to help save lives. Suffolk County employees are very active in donating blood and I am asking for all Suffolk County residents to consider this life saving opportunity.”
Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma to stay alive – including those with cancer, leukemia, and victims of auto crashes and other traumas, the county executive said in his Sept. 13 press release.
Bood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.
To make up for the shortfall as quickly as possible, New York Blood Center has a wide variety of donor centers and blood drives open this week.
A complete list of available locations is available online at www.nybloodcenter.org or call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566).
The Riverhead Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Riverhead Fire Department headquarters, 540 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead.
All donors presenting will receive a free scoop of ice cream compliments of Snowflake Ice Cream! (Must be redeemed same day.)
Also, all those donating between now and Jan. 17 will be entered into a drawing to receive “Super Bowl Tickets.”
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