Community Corner

Irene Creates Blood Emergency

2,000 Plus Units of Blood Lost From Shutdowns, Power Outages.

The New York Blood Bank, which serves New Jersey as well as the rest of the metro New York area, has issued an appeal for blood donations.

The blood bank says because it cancelled several blood drives and shut its offices in advance of the hurricane, there is now less than a two-day supply of certain types of blood, including O-negative, often referred to as "universal donor" blood. 

The normal inventory level is three-to-five days.

“We anticipated the potential effects of Irene, and delivered extra blood in advance to our 200 partner hospitals,” NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis said. “Our first priority remains getting them whatever they need for the care of trauma and cancer patients.”

With Labor Day approaching, "We’re between a rock and a hard place,” Purvis added.  “We need the help of our communities to replenish the blood supply.”

One in seven people entering a hospital needs blood, he said. The shelf life of platelets is only five days, while red blood cells only last for 42 days, so the need for new donations is constant, Purvis said.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybloodcenter.org.


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