Red Cross seeks donations to offset seasonal decline
The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help offset a seasonal decline in donations and prevent a shortage this summer by giving blood.
Donors of all blood types — especially those with types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative — are needed to help ensure blood products are available to hospital patients this summer. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure and supplies critical proteins for clotting immunity. It is often needed for burn, trauma and cancer patients.
Donation opportunities include:
- Carmel: July 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Putnam Hospital, 670 Stoneleigh Ave.
- Castle Point (just north of Beacon): July 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Healthcare System, Route 9D
- Poughkeepsie: July 24, 1 to 6 p.m., at Poughkeepsie Galleria, 2001 South Road, and July 30, 1 to 6 p.m., at Arlington Professional Firefighters, 11 Burnett Blvd.
To find blood donation events in other locations or to make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
