BLOOD EMERGENCY DECLARED: NY Blood Center reports a loss of 100,000 donors in the past 10 years.

For a number of reasons, the pool of blood donors has been dropping over the past decade – and in that same time, the need has been going up. In addition, winter always takes a toll on blood donations due to cancelled drives, lost utilities, donors unable to travel, etc. This has turned into a daily struggle to keep up with demand and we are currently in an official emergency situation. While the majority of people will have a blood transfusion at some point in their lives, only 3% of eligible donors actually donate.

We hope we can once again depend on reliable donors to be a part of the solution at a time when people have busier schedules… and bring someone along with you!

The Pleasantville High School and the Pleasantville Volunteer Ambulance Corps have once again teamed up to sponsor an All-Day Blood Drive on Monday, Nov. 4, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at the Pleasantville High School on 60 Romer Avenue. Both whole blood and red cells units will be collected from qualifying candidates. Although this drive makes it convenient for Pleasantville residents to participate, blood donors from all towns are welcome to come to lend their help.

To schedule an appointment to donate, call (800) 933-2566.

For questions regarding eligibility (travel, medications, last donation, etc), call (800) 688-0900.

To register on-line, go to www.nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/. Although it is helpful to let the organizers know in advance that you plan to come, walk-ins are always accepted.

Benefits of registering on-line: it helps the organizers to determine the staff needed; you can be contacted if there are any delays. You don’t need to contact the blood bank if you need to cancel or will arrive at a different time.