Community Corner
Blood Drive Planned in Wake of Hurricane Sandy
Canceled donations due to hurricane leave Long Island with a blood shortage.
The Southampton Fire Department is planning a blood drive Tuesday to help the New York Blood Center make up for anticipated donations that never came to fruition because of Hurricane Sandy and the destruction it left behind.
The blood drive takes place between noon and 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Hampton Road firehouse.
"In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, there is a shortage of blood on Long Island and we are looking for as many donors as possible," Capt. Chris Brenner said.
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The New York Blood Center on Nov. 8 estimated that Long Island, New York City, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey face a shortfall of 12,000 units over 30 days because of storm damage to places where blood is collected.
"Here's the problem: blood drives are still being canceled at the schools, churches, and workplaces that were damaged," NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis said. "We need to pick up the slack to a degree we have never had to before, and that is why we're so urgently asking our communities for help."
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the New York Blood Center, the shelf life of platelets is only five days and the shelf life of red blood cells is 42 days.
Eligible donors can be as young as 16, with parental permission. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and meet all Food and Drug Administration and New York State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor's note, the blood center stated.
For more ways you can help locally in Hurricane Sandy relief, click here.
