In partnership with the Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY), Senator Kevin Thomas, ECHO – a New York charity organization, Long Island Volunteer Center, Seventh Battalion Chief Council and New York Blood Center, a blood drive will be conducted in Uniondale in an effort to alleviate the worsening blood shortage. The event is being held at the Uniondale Fire Department (154 Uniondale Avenue) in Uniondale on Tuesday, August 23rd from 2pm to 8pm.
The recent heat wave the New York area has experienced, summer travel, and the increasing number of Covid cases caused significant decrease in blood donations. The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency because of the acute shortage of life-saving blood for patients with cancer or other diseases and conditions, those undergoing surgery, and those who need blood when injured in accidents. According to New York Blood Center a pint of blood can save three lives. It is safe for healthy adults to donate blood and there is no risk of infection as a new needle set is used for each stick. The body will replace the donated volume within forty-eight hours. The whole lost blood cells will be replaced within four to eight weeks. An average healthy adult has between eight to twelve pints of blood in the body. Usually an adult can donate blood again eight weeks after a donation.
The organizers said that walk-ins are welcome, but appointments make it more convenient. Those who volunteer to donate could The organizers request to those who want to help lives by donating blood to call 1-800-933-BLOOD or use the link https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/307166 to make appointment or walk in to 154 Uniondale Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 between 2 pm and 8 pm on August 23rd.
