Blood Drive Planned For Hicksville Athletic Center

HICKSVILLE, NY — A blood collection drive will be held April 24 at the Hicksville Athletic Center to help healthcare facilities meet the “ongoing and pressing need for blood during the coronavirus pandemic,” Town of Oyster Bay officials said.

The athletic center, which is located at 167 S. Broadway, will host the drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To qualify as a blood donor, a person must between the ages of 17 and 75 years old, or 16 years with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note, according to a town news release. Donors must also weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days, town officials said.

Anyone who received a tattoo within the past 12 months is ineligible to donate, and it is recommended that donors eat a low fat diet and drink fluids in the days before the blood drive, according to town officials.

Appointments are preferred for the event, which will be socially distanced and sanitary protocols will be put in place to “maintain the health and safety of all donors, town officials said.

Councilman Lou Imbroto said that lives can be saved by donating blood.

“Blood supplies have seriously dwindled during this COVID-19 health pandemic and are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives,” he said. “Please consider participating in this blood drive on April 24.”

Town Clerk Richard LaMarca said it is “quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood, which can save up to three lives.”

“If you have family members or friends willing to donate, please ask them to support our effort this year, as this initiative is more vital than ever to help make sure that our local hospitals can meet the excessive demand during the coronavirus pandemic and continue to save the lives of as many people as possible,” he said.

For more information, contact the town’s Office of Public Information at (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate blood, go to www.nybc.org/donate.