State Lawmakers Team Up With The New York Blood Center to Announce An Emergency Blood Drive in Rockland County

Nanuet, NY – The New York Blood Center (NYBC) declared a blood shortage emergency last week in the Tri-State, and now state lawmakers in Rockland County are trying to help.

Sen. David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) and Assemblymembers Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) and Ken Zebrowski (D-New City) are sponsoring an emergency blood drive at the Nanuet Library at 149 Church St on Thursday, June 28th from 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

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At a press conference on Monday at the Rockland Donation Center in Nanuet, Sen. Carlucci said the blood drive is an opportunity for residents to come in and easily donate blood during the summer months, when people maybe more busy with summer holidays and vacations.

“About 1 in 7 people will need a life-saving blood transfusion at the hospital, and a blood donation can help save up to 3 lives,” said Sen. Carlucci. "I want to thank the New York Blood Center and my fellow lawmakers for sponsoring this life-saving event, and I encourage anyone in the Hudson Valley to come and donate.”

“Every two seconds, blood donation is impacting and saving the lives of people in our personal lives and community; including, those with chronic illness, cancer, burn, trauma and injury victims, newborn babies and their mothers, surgery patients, and others in need.  I am happy to join my colleagues and the New York Blood Center to encourage everyone to commit 15 minutes of their life by giving blood to help give another birthday, anniversary or a life time memory to a neighbor, a friend and a family member,” said Assemblywoman Jaffee.

 “It’s simple, donating blood saves lives. This emergency blood shortage in our area is especially troubling as we enter the summer months where folks are less likely to donate because of busy schedules. I’d encourage anyone that is willing and able to donate or reach out to those around you about the importance of blood donation. This is an especially critical time and together we can ensure that we are prepared and taking care of our community,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“We are grateful to our elected officials in Rockland County for hosting this upcoming blood drive and working to get the word out about it,” said Deborah Kleinman, Manager of Business Development at the New York Blood Center. “Right now the need is critical for blood donations, and people must remember blood constantly needs to be replenished.”

The New York Blood Center worries if there were a mass casualty event, reserves at areas hospitals would be too low.

A safe blood supply is a 7-day inventory of all blood types, and the Tri-State is below that minimum.

About 4.5 million Americans receive a blood transfusion each year, according to the New York Blood Center.

Roxanne Watson, a heart transplant survivor and organ donation advocate said doctors had to give her 8-10 pints of blood during her transplant surgery.

“I was lucky enough that the blood was there. It was crucial for my two transfusions and my surgery. I thank our lawmakers in Rockland for getting the word out about this blood shortage emergency,” said Roxanne Watson.

Trauma, surgery, and cancer patients often need blood as well as transplant recipients, people with burn injuries, newborn babies and their mothers, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more according to the New York Blood Center.

At next week’s blood drive anyone between the ages of 18-76 can donate, and teens, 16-17 can donate with a guardian present. Walk-ins are welcome or to schedule an appointment, residents can call their respective lawmaker or go to: https://drm.nybloodcenter.org/PublicScheduler/GroupLanding.aspx?s=67219.

To donate before then or to find a blood drive in your area you can go to: www.nybloodcenter.org/blood or call 1-800-933-2566.