Blood donors extend their life-saving gifts to help Haiti's earthquake victims

Jan 25 2010

One Dollar For Every Donation This Week

New York Blood Center (NYBC), serving New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, will donate one dollar to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for each blood donation made from January 25-31.  The funds will be earmarked for Haiti.  In addition, regular donors will be able to designate their points in NYBC's Advantage donor loyalty program to UNICEF's Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

"Blood donors provide the gift of life every time they roll up their sleeves," said NYBC President and CEO Christopher D. Hillyer, MD.  "During the last week of January's National Blood Donor Month, our donors can extend their life-saving gifts to help Haiti's earthquake victims."

NYBC is a member of a nationwide collective assisting the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program Office (ASBPO) handling the direct blood needs in Haiti.  Current supplies are adequate, but since blood has a relatively short shelf life, blood donors are being encouraged to help keep the system robust.

As many as 2,000 people donate blood each day at NYBC's facilities and mobile drives at workplaces, schools, community organizations and houses of worship.  The need for blood supply replenishment is constant.  Hospital use of blood products remains high due to surgeries, emergencies, and care of cancer patients.  Type O negative and Type B negative donors are especially needed.

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive.  

NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the winter holiday and summer periods.  Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and hemoglobin level.  Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health, and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria.  People age 76 and over may donate with a doctor's note.