Shelter Island blood drive exceeds expectations

The Shelter Island summer blood drive that aimed to collect 50 pints at a time when the need is greatest had 56 pints donated last Friday, July 17.

Earlier in the week, the New York Blood Center issued an unprecedented second blood emergency alert for this summer as the blood supply on hand was said to last only two days. The Blood Center has never issued two alerts in a single summer.

Typically, the need for blood is great during summer months, especially in vacation areas like Shelter Island where the population swells.

The critical need for donors this summer is a result of extreme heat, severe storms, power outages and cleanup efforts after the storms that have reduced the number of usual donors of blood, causing the ongoing shortage in New York and New Jersey.

With the alert came word the universal blood type O is especially needed since it stands at less than half a day’s supply.

The New York Blood Center prepares for seasonal challenges every year, but with blood supplies low throughout the country, that is not working this year and requires local communities to collect blood to serve their needs, according to the information provided by the Center. NYBC is asking healthy, eligible donors — especially those with Type O blood — to schedule an appointment at other municipalities’ blood drives on the North or South forks.

Every donation can help ensure blood is available for trauma victims, cancer patients, individuals living with sickle cell disease and thalassemia, transplant recipients and patients undergoing surgeries or other lifesaving treatments.

Blood donors can donate every 56 days, and platelet donors can give up to twice per month.

In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give blood.