Mejias Urges Everyone to Give Blood

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) encourages everyone who is able to give blood to do so, as the recent winter storm greatly depleted the amount of blood in stock. Countless blood drives, usually scheduled for Valentine’s Day, had to be cancelled due to the weather.

“On Valentine’s Day, we were ready to literally give from the heart,” Mejias said. “But due to the snow and icy conditions, holding many blood drives was impossible. I am strongly encouraging everyone who is eligible to get out there and give blood. Put simply, it saves lives.”

According to the New York Blood Center, nearly 2,000 donations are needed each day in the New York/New Jersey community for patients who require a life-saving blood and/or platelet transfusion. Those in need include cancer patients, accident, burn or trauma victims, patients undergoing surgery or a transplant, newborn babies, etc.

Nearly anyone age 17 (16 in New York with parents' written permission) to 75, who weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in good health can safely donate blood. There are some reasons and conditions that may permanently or temporarily defer someone from donor eligibility, but far more people are eligible to donate than actually do donate. People age 76 and older can donate if they meet all donor eligibility requirements and they present a doctor's written permission note.

For more information, contact Long Island Blood Services at 478-5060, or Legislator Mejias’s office at 571-6214.