Rockland's five towns square off in blood donation contest

Rockland's five towns will host blood drives next week, part of a competition put together by state Sen. Bill Weber's office and the American Red Cross Metro New York North. The town that recruits the most new donors and the one that collects the most blood will win trophies, and of course bragging rights.

The big win, though, is the boost to the blood supply that often lags in the summer season.

The donation drives take place from July 30 to Aug. 3, one in each town. To kick off the competition, the Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge will light up red over the Tappan Zee, the New York State Thruway Authority confirmed.

Summer blood donations dip, with people on vacation and their usual patterns interrupted. This year's no different, American Red Cross officials say.

“Blood and platelet donors are critically needed right now to support lifesaving transfusions this summer,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashely, CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter.

When and where to donate blood in Rockland

The dates and times of the "Senator Weber Five Town Challenge" are:

• 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St., Spring Valley.
• 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, Orangetown Town Hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg.
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, Stony Point Senior Center, 19 Club House Lane, Stony Point.
• Noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Ave., New City.
• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, Haverstraw Town Hall, 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville.

Registration and rules

Find information about each blood drive and register at redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

Donors must be age 16 or older, weigh more than 110 pounds, be in good health and feeling well, and not have donated in the past 56 days. Get more details at redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html.