BLOOD EMERGENCY

Supplies Falling Into Danger Zone

Summer of 2008’s Triple Threat:

High Demand, High Gas Prices, High Temperatures

Westbury, NY, August 4, 2008 – Long Island Blood Services (LIBS), an affiliate of the New York Blood Center (NYBC) has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, with supplies at serious risk of falling below the three-day supply “danger zone.”

“The Summer of 2008 has dealt us a triple – high demand, high gas prices, and high temperatures,” said Harvey Schaffler, Executive Director, LIBS. “Demand for blood from hospitals is up. High gas prices make donors hesitant to drive to us. And heat waves have cut donations at facilities without air conditioning.” Schaffler adds: “Summer is always a tough time, because people go away on vacation and aren’t available to donate.”

In anticipation of the potential summer emergency, County Executive Tom Suozzi recorded a public service announcement (PSA) seeking blood donations. Currently, the PSA is being broadcast at radio stations across Long Island. “The County Executive’s effort is a great help,” said Schaffler. “But the need is just too great this summer.”

Each day, LIBS must collect 800 units of lifesaving blood to treat patients in hospitals across Long Island. With the current shortfall, LIBS is concerned about its ability to meet predictable patient needs, plus emergencies (including car crashes, complications during childbirth, and emergency surgery). Some blood types are being rationed already; with the prospect of more drastic measures should the shortage continue to worsen.

All donors receive free mini-medical exams on site and information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental consent) who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY State Department of Health donor criteria. Inquiries are also welcomed from organizations who would like to schedule an emergency blood drive.

To contact Long Island Blood Services:
Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566
Website: www.nybloodcenter.org

Long Island Blood Services is an affiliate of New York Blood Center (NYBC), one of thenation’s largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to patients in greater New York since 1964. NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world’s largest public cord blood bank. NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals and transfusion medicine physicians.

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