Red Cross Makes Urgent Plea For Local Blood Donations

The American Red Cross out of Utica is urging people to give blood right now to prevent hospital shortages now that surgical and other patient procedures have resumed in our Central New York region according to a press release.

If you are healthy and feeling well and would like to donate, Red Cross officials say you can make your donation appointment at a nearby blood drive either by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

The American Red Cross reports that hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% recently following a sharp decline in early April amid the coronavirus pandemic and the order by the Governor for people to stay home unless they were an essential employee.  Donors are needed now to help meet the current need.

In addition to the knowledge that blood donors are giving "The gift of life", for those who donated through May 31, 2020, they will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. For those who donate in the month of June, those people will recive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

It's important to remember blood donors are continuously needed due to the fact that blood donated has to be used in a timely matter to be viable. Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. That's why the blood supplies need to be constantly replenished.

To find out more about giving blood near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

Below are upcoming blood donation opportunities, May 27-June 15:

In Delaware County:

Delhi: 6/2/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Delhi Alliance Church, 16178 NY 28
East Branch: 6/15/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., East Branch Fire Department, Bridge Street
Franklin:  6/11/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Franklin Methodist Church, 101 Main St
Grand Gorge:  6/2/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., BOCES Northern Catskills Occupational Center, 2020 Jump Brook Rd.
Margaretville:  5/27/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Margaretville Fire Department, 77 Church Street
Sidney Center:  6/3/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, 270 Boces Drive Rt. 206
South Kortright:  6/4/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., South Kortright Central School, 58200 State Highway 10
Stamford:  6/5/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stamford Baptist Church, 40 Lake Street
Walton:  5/29/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Walton Fire Department, 59 West Street

In Otsego County: 

Burlington Flats:  6/4/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Burlington Flats Baptist Church, 101 Arnold Road
Cherry Valley:  5/29/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cherry Valley Community Center, RT 54
Cooperstown:  6/12/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street
Laurens:  6/11/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Laurens Fire Department, 34 Main St.
Oneonta:
5/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut St.,
6/9/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Main Street Baptist Church Briggs Hall, 333 Main St.
6/10/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., AO Fox Memorial Hospital Levine Center, One Norton Ave
Wells Bridge:  6/5/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wells Bridge Fire Department, 104 County Highway 4
Worcester:  6/8/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Worcester Municipal Building, 19 Katie Lane

Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.