Help End Hudson Valley Blood Shortage

Facing a severe blood shortage, the American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors. You can help — there are upcoming blood drives across the Hudson Valley.

They're also asking for volunteer blood drive hosts, who they say are also critically needed, to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.

To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Local opportunities to give

Orange County
Middletown

• 11/23: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Orange Regional Medical Center, 707 East Main Street
• 12/5: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Orange Regional Medical Center, 707 East Main Street
• 12/8: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ebenezer Pentecostal Church-Fellowship Hall, 50 East Main Street

• 12/14: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Town of Newburgh, 1496 Route 30012/15/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cornerstone Family Healthcare, 147 Lake Street

• 11/23: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Carmel Fire Department, 94 Gleneida Avenue

• 12/11: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, 741 Route 6

• 12/1: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jackson Hose Co. 3, 45 Catherine Street
• 12/6: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rockland County YMCA, 35 South Broadway

• 11/16: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Club Fit Jefferson Valley, 600 Bank Street

• 11/18: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Augustine Church-Behind Kenny Hall,111 Larchmont Avenue

• 12/15: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pine Crest Manor, 7100 Amuso Drive

• 11/29: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Iona College, 715 North Avenue
• 12/6: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Weekday Nursery School, 1200 North Avenue

• 11/28: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Pace University Kessel Campus Center, 861 Bedford Road

• 12/4: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Port Chester - Rye Brook Public Library, 1 Haseco Avenue

• 11/14: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center, 32 Garibaldi Place

• 12/6: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 40 Bell Road

• 11/16: 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway
• 11/23: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., YMCA - White Plains, 250 Mamaroneck Avenue

• 11/23: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Alamo Drafthouse, 2548 Central Park Avenue
• 12/7: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Yonkers Office of the Mayor, 40 South Broadway

• 11/30: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW Post 8328, 257 Veterans Road

Host a blood drive

An addition 170 blood drives are needed in the New York-Penn Region in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel.

Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive thiswinter, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.

“This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it’s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn’t stop for the holidays. People can give back – and help those in need – by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.”

Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Eligible donors can also find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass, are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

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