Yesterday, the Newsday Editorial Board published an article titled “Donate blood today — lives depend on it.”
“For just the second time in its history, the American Red Cross, on July 27, issued a national blood crisis warning,” the August 5 piece reads. “On Long Island, it’s a dire issue since donations remain below pre-pandemic levels. According to the New York Blood Center (NYBC), the Island accounts for 30% of donations in the tristate area. Since last July, Long Island has had a 3% drop in blood donations, meaning 1,200 fewer total donations, and since blood donations don’t have a long shelf life, the NYBC relies on continual replenishment to meet needs.”
Yadira Navarro, Executive Director of Donor Recruitment and Strategic Partnerships at New York Blood Center Enterprises tells Newsday: “Other factors contributing to the blood shortage include the cyclospora outbreaks, annual summer vacations, and two heat waves and localized flooding in the tristate area so far this summer, creating a ‘perfect storm’ of hurdles.”
Read the full story and make an appointment to donate blood today.