Blood Drive To Be Held At Smithtown High School East

ST. JAMES, NY — A blood drive is slated for Thursday at Smithtown High School East, the New York Blood Center announced.

The drive is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the school, at 10 School St., Saint James.

Those interested in making an appointment at the blood drive can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit this link. Those who can't donate blood but still want to support the blood center can text ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.

The blood drive was scheduled before the holidays, which can be a difficult time for the blood supply, as school breaks, family vacations and travel all contribute to making blood donations less of a priority, according to the blood center. Nearly 2,300 blood donations have been made at Smithtown High School East since 2006. The school is a major partner of the blood center, according to NYBC.

"As the chronic blood shortage continues, NYBC encourages all who are eligible in the community to donate blood and save a life," the blood center stated. "Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of donors to receive life-saving blood donations. One blood donation has the ability to save up to three lives."

The center is taking extra precautions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

People are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. More information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available here.