Red Cross Makes Emergency Call for Blood Donations in the Hudson Valley

White Plains, NY — The Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood donations in Westchester County because of a an extremely low summer blood supply.

Organization officials said there are 39,000 fewer donations than what are needed.

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One factor, they said, was the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which may have caused regular donors to postpone donations because of vacation plans.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Patty Corvaia, communications manager of the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

The Red Cross has scheduled two more blood donation opportunities in Westchester County for Thursday, July 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Solaris Sports Club, 201 Veterans Rd. in Yorktown Heights, and Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at S. Andrews Marthoma Church 58 Crescent Place in Yonkers.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.