Shortage Continues [VIDEO]: Give Blood in Orange, Putnam, Westchester

After issuing an emergency call for blood and platelet donors in early July, the American Red Cross continues to face a critical blood shortage. Eligible donors of all types are are urged to give now. As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.

“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” said Patty Corvaia, communications manager of the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”

Nearly 61,000 fewer blood donations than needed were given through the Red Cross in May and June, prompting the emergency call for donations in early July. The shortfall was the equivalent of the Red Cross not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.

In August, regular donors may delay giving as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up. To fully meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks, donations are urgently needed from new and current donors. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and Power Red cells can be donated every 112 days.

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 15-31:

Orange
Chester
8/16/2017: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., C and S Wholesale Chester, 11 Elizabeth Drive
8/17/2017: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Suburban Propane Chester, 1939 Kings Highway
Montgomery
8/22/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Orange County Chamber of Commerce, 30 Scotts Corner Drive
Newburgh
8/23/2017: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., C and S Wholesale Grocers, 1500 Corporate Boulevard
8/29/2017: 2:30 - 7:30 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Parish, 1 Owens Road /Fostertown Road, Port Jervis
8/23/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Port Jervis Elks Lodge 645, Route 6

Putnam
Carmel
8/25/2017: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Carmel Fire Department, 94 Gleneida Avenue
Mahopac
8/15/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, 741 Route 6
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Westchester
Mount Kisco
8/30/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 East Main Street
Peekskill
8/31/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hudson River Health Care, 1037 Main Street
Shrub Oak
8/23/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 East Main Street
White Plains
8/18/2017: 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., White Plains Presbyterian Church, 39 North Broadway
Yonkers
8/16/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cottage Place Gardens, Cottage Place Gardens, 334 Riverdale
Avenue
Yorktown Heights
8/26/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, 2880 Crompond Road