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| Memorial Day |
Memorial Day traditionally kicks off the busy summer season, a time when blood donations typically slow down and supplies can drop significantly. The Red Cross is asking healthy volunteer blood donors to make a point to kick off their summer by giving the gift of life for patients who depend on blood transfusions.
All blood donors who present to give blood at any Red Cross blood drive in the New York-Penn Region during May can enter a daily drawing for a $100 gift card* for gasoline. One lucky donor per day will be selected at random to receive the gas card.
Blood is used for patients undergoing many surgical procedures, organ transplants, trauma and chemotherapy. For some patients, such as the victim of an automobile accident, the need for blood is sudden. For others, ongoing transfusions are needed to sustain medical treatment.
“The need for blood never takes a vacation,” said Kay Schwartz, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region. “Donors who give regularly during the summer months are contributing greatly to ensuring a community blood supply will be adequate to meet the needs of patients.”
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission New York and Pennsylvania), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Identification is required at the time of donation.
