Donate Blood To Help Save Lives, Shortage In New York City

The New York Blood Center is pulling their bus up to PIX Plaza (42nd Street and 2nd Avenue) to collect blood donations this morning until 3:30pm. PIX's own Dr. Steve first spoke with Jim Fox, New York Blood Centerspokesperson. He'll later talk to William J. Mullaney, president of Institutional Business at MetLife and Matthew Long, a FDNY blood recipient who was hit by a bus on his way to work a few years ago and needed a transfusion.

Fox explained that to meet local needs, New York Blood Center and requires 2,000 blood donations each day to supply the needs of 200 hospitals. Approximately every two seconds, someone needs blood, and one out of three people will need a life-saving blood transfusion in their lifetime. In fact, a single blood donation can help save the lives of up to three people. Car accident and trauma victims need as many as 50 or more red cell transfusions, cancer patients use large amounts of blood and burn victims can use up to 50 platelet transfusions.

You can join Dr. Steve and donate blood at PIX Plaza (42nd Street and 2nd Avenue) this morning until 3:30pm. People can donate blood every 56 days. Be sure to eat at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. If you are donating platelets, do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for at least 72 hours before your scheduled appointment.

And donations are always needed. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days, platelets within five days, and plasma can be frozen and used for up to one year. For more information on the New York Blood Center, log onto www.nybloodcenter.org.

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