Winter Storm Takes Its Toll on Blood Supply

The winter months tend to be the most difficult time of the year to collect blood to meet the needs of patients. Twenty inches of snow make this challenge even more real as blood collections were curtailed for almost two full days this week.

With nearly 2,000 donations needed each day in New York and New Jersey alone, including all Catholic Health Services hospitals which are served exclusively by New York Blood Center, it’s cruicial for donors to set aside an hour to donate. 

"Thankfully, we were able to anticipate the blood drive cancellations caused by the storm, and our hospital partners received the life-saving blood products they needed to endure the storm," said Rob Purvis, New York Blood Center Vice President of Customer Service.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days – up to 24 times a year. Anyone between the ages of 17 and 75 who is in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Healthy individuals 75 and older can donate blood, if they present written permission from their physician obtained within two weeks of their donation.

To find a blood drive or donation center near you, visit http://www.nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/where-to-donate-today/

If you need a family practitioner, please visit www.chsli.org or call 1855-CHS-4500.