Health

Red Cross in urgent need of blood donors

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood donors, noting the agency could experience an emergency situation in the coming weeks if donations don’t increase.

According to an agency release, blood donations have gone down by about 8 percent over the last 11 weeks, resulting in about 80,000 fewer donations than expected. 

It has issued an emergency request for donors of all blood types, particularly types O negative, B negative and A negative, according to the release.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days – up to 24 times a year.

Donors who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

The nearest Red Cross donation site is Stony Brook University Medical Center, which is open six days a week:

Monday — Friday, 7:45 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Saturday,  8:45 a.m. — 4 p.m.

To make an appointment call 631.444.DONATE (631.444.3662)

For more information, visit the Stony Brook Blood Bank website.

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