Giving the gift of life: Sen. Murphy sponsors community blood drive at Mt. Pleasant Town Hall

Mt. Pleasant, NY – ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but for the New York Blood Center, this is also the time of year when the need for blood donations reaches a critical level. To help address the New York Blood Center’s emergency blood shortage, Senator Terrence Murphy and the Town of Mt. Pleasant will sponsor a blood drive on Wednesday, January 25th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center, 125 Lozza Drive in Valhalla.

“We all know the need for blood never takes a holiday,” said Senator Murphy. “There is no substitute for blood donations. Blood products have a limited shelf life, and supplies must be continually replenished. I encourage everyone who is eligible to donate blood.”

“I am extremely proud to be partnering with Senator Murphy on this blood drive,” said Mt. Pleasant Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi. “This drive is especially important this time of year when blood supplies are low. With the community’s help, we can play an important role in replenishing the New York Blood Center’s inventory for all types of blood. I look forward to bringing the community together to help save lives.”

Potential donors should be 16-years-old and up. Sixteen-year-olds will need a consent form signed by a parent. Seniors 76-years-old and older can donate if they have a letter signed by a physician. All potential donors must bring a government issued identification in order to donate.

“The New York Blood Center recognizes the incredible contributions of our donors, volunteers, chairpersons and organizations that have helped us fulfill our mission to collect and distribute lifesaving blood throughout 2016,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Executive Director of Donor Recruitment at the New York Blood Center. “Thank you for your continued support and we’re encouraging all to donate in January at the post-holiday/winter period and help replenish inventories to provide blood for our hospital patients.”

New York Blood Center is calling on the community to please donate blood in recognition of National Blood Donor Month, and to help replenish the local blood supply that has fallen sharply over the recent holiday period. Supplies of many blood types are now at the critical 3-day level, with distribution restrictions placed on Type O, Rh negative blood.

Ordinarily, a 5-7 day supply is required to ensure that blood is available for scheduled surgical procedures, medical treatments for cancer patients and to meet emergency or unexpected disaster needs. To meet local needs, New York Blood Center requires 2,000 blood donations each day. Blood needs to be typed, tested and ready to provide for the hospital patients who rely on it.

Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations. With approximately 15% of regional blood collection coming from high schools and colleges, winter recess contributes substantially to the current shortfall.

Founded in 1964, The New York Blood Center provides lifesaving blood products and services to nearly 200 hospitals in New York, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Refreshments will be served. To register, please call Senator Murphy’s office at (914) 962-2624. For more information about donating blood, visit the New York Blood Center’s website at www.bloodcenter.org/blood, or call 1-800-688-0900.