'Summer Trauma Season' Prompts Blood Drive In West Islip

WEST ISLIP, NY — The New York Blood Center is calling for blood donations ahead of the "summer trauma season."

In a press release, the NYBC said the "summer months are a difficult time for the blood supply, as school breaks, summer travel, and busy schedules make blood donation less of a priority, leading to seasonal shortages."

According to the release, warmer months bring an increase in accidents and trauma-related injuries. Known as "trauma season," late spring and summer see a rise in emergency room visits and transfusion needs. In New York State, more than 56,000 traumas are reported each year, most of which occur on weekends and during the summer months.

At the same time, blood donations typically decline due to travel, school breaks and holiday schedules, creating a "perfect storm" for shortages as nearly 25 percent of trauma patients require blood transfusions for treatment.

"Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for New Yorkers, but for New York Blood Center, it signals the beginning of a critical period for the blood supply," said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. "We’re calling on all eligible blood donors to show up for their neighbors this summer by making an appointment to donate blood as we enter trauma season."

To meet expected hospital demand, NYBC needs 5,000 additional donations this summer, the equivalent of about 125 additional community blood drives.

To help, community members are invited to donate blood at the West Islip PTA Council blood drive, held at Beach Street School, 17 Beach St., West Islip, on Friday, June 6, from 4:30 to 9 p.m.

Appointments are recommended, but not required, and can be scheduled here.

Before donating blood, it's important to eat and drink. Eligible donors must have an ID with a signature or photo, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not gotten any tattoos within the past year, and be between 16 and 75 years old (donors aged 16 require parental consent).