Facing Fewer Donations, Glen Cove Blood Drive Planned This Week

GLEN COVE, NY — A community blood drive is planned in Glen Cove this week amid falling donations stemming from illnesses, school breaks, snow and holidays. The New York Blood Center said it collects about 2,000 pints to 3,000 pints less than normal during the holidays.

"Donated blood is perishable, so the supply must be constantly replenished," the organization said.

The six-hour blood drive is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Hill Street. This event is hosted by firefighter Pete Prudente.

About one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion and nearly 2,000 donations are needed every day in New York and New Jersey, the blood center said. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, and chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

"It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives," the organization said.