Check smoke detector batteries when you turn clocks back.
Check smoke detector batteries when you turn clocks back.

unnamed (13)While thousands of people from across the country responded to the emergency request for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, a critical blood shortage remains. The Red Cross urges eligible donors to give now to help ensure blood is available throughout the rest of the summer to meet patient needs.

At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to have a five-day supply at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that may require significant volumes of donated blood products.

“The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives,” said Patty Corvaia, of the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.”

Every two seconds in the U.S., someone like Ray Poulin needs blood or platelets. Poulin’s liver and kidneys failed following a serious blood infection. The situation became urgent when his liver hemorrhaged. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. After receiving 77 units of blood, Poulin defied the odds.

“There was a lot that went into saving my life, but if the blood wasn’t available when I needed it, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Poulin.

Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to help restock the shelves. The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets between July 25 and Aug. 31 by emailing them a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15:

 

Madison County

Brookfield: 8/1/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 2416 Beaver Creek Rd.

Canastota: 8/2/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Utica School of Commerce, 3197 Seneca Turnpike

Hamilton: 7/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Community Memorial Hospital, 150 Broad St.

Morrisville: 7/29/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Rd.

Oneida: 7/26/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St.; 8/10/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Oneida Rec Center, 217 Cedar St.; 8/12/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles St.

Onondaga County

Bridgeport: 8/12/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi, 7820 Bridgeport Minoa Rd.

Camillus: 8/15/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., St Michaels Lutheran Church, 5108 West Genesee St.

Cicero: 7/28/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 787, 5575 Legionnaire Dr.

East Syracuse: 7/25/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Berkshire Bank, 6611 Manlius Center; 8/2/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., State Farm Insurance, 306 E. 1st St.

Fayetteville: 8/6/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Salt Springs Rd.; 8/7/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., East Area YMCA, 200 Towne Dr.

Jamesville: 8/13/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jamesville Beach – Canine Carnival, 4110 West Shore Manor

Jordan: 7/30/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Jordan United Methodist Church, 63 Elbridge St.

Kirkville: 8/6/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., North Manlius United Church, 7815 Adams Rd.

La Fayette: 8/9/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., LaFayette Fire Department, Route 11

Liverpool: 7/28/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Moyers Corners Fire Department St 2, 7697 Morgan Rd.; 8/6/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Northside Baptist Church, 7965 Oswego Rd.

Manlius: 7/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital of Manlius,PC, 8275 East Seneca Turnpike; 8/11/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Eastern Hills Bible Church, Route 92

Syracuse: 7/26/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bryant and Stratton College Syracuse, 953 James St.; 7/27/2016: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., North Syracuse Community Center – LSL, 700 South Bay Rd.; 7/29/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lowes, 131 Simon Dr.; 7/31/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Erwin First United Methodist Church, 920 Euclid Ave.; 8/1/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St.; 8/2/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., SUNY, Upstate University Hospital, Community Campus, Broad Rd.; 8/2/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Post 1468, 110 Academy St.; 8/3/2016: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., SUNY, Upstate University Hospital, Community Campus, Broad Rd.; 8/4/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Red Cross of Central NY, 344 W. Genesee Street #100; 8/4/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave.; 8/9/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., LeMoyne College, 1419 Saltsprings Rd.; 8/12/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., St Josephs Hospital and Health Center, 301 Prospect Ave.; 8/13/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Destiny USA, 1 Carousel Center Dr.

Tully: 8/13/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., St Leos Catholic Church, 10 Onondaga St.

Oswego County

Central Square: 8/1/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 915, 3301 Fulton Ave.

Fulton: 7/30/2016: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Fulton, 1408 State Rte. 176; 8/10/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Price Chopper- Fulton, 12 West First St.; 8/10/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Believers Chapel, 614 South 4th St. (Route 481)

Mexico: 8/6/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Mexico First United Methodist Church, 4372 Church St.

Oswego: 7/26/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oswego Alliance Church, 371 Thompson Rd.; 7/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., State University of New York Oswego, 142 Campus Center Dr.; 8/6/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Scriba FD, 5618 State Rte.104; 8/10/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Oswego American Legion, 69 W. Bridge St.; 8/15/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oswego Hospital, 110 West Sixth St.; 8/15/2016: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oswego Hospital, 110 West Sixth St.

Phoenix: 7/30/2016: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Enterprise Fire Company #1, 457 Main St.

Pulaski: 8/8/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 358, 3350 Maple Ave.

Sandy Creek: 8/12/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Oswego County Fair, 291 Ellisburg St.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for- profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

By martha

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