Critical Blood Shortage in the Hudson Valley
The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency. What exactly is that? A blood emergency is when there is less than a seven-day supply of blood in our area. This particular one falls near an upcoming holiday weekend where the need for blood is often greater as people have a tendency to get injured during holiday weekends.
The types of blood that they are looking for are O negative as it is considered the universal blood, along with B negative and A negative. These blood types are at critical levels with a less than two-day supply for our area.
What can you do to help? Roll up your sleeves and donate. Ask your friends to go with you and donate as well. Contact your local blood donation center and ask about holding a blood drive at your place of business.
To donate blood you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age, 16 with parental permission
- Be in general good health
- Weight at least 117 pounds.
If you meet the requirements above you could potentially donate blood every 56 days.