New York Blood Center Works to Keep Blood Flowing During Storm; Urges Donors to Step Up Before Storm Hits Tuesday

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Blood Center (NYBC) is working with area hospitals to make sure there is no disruption in the critical blood and blood product supply if a major storm hits the Metropolitan Area next week.

NYBC is calling upon donors who have made an appointment to give blood to keep the appointment.  Donors without an appointment also can give blood in advance of the storm to assure an adequate supply next week.  Information on donor centers and scheduled blood drives is available at www.nybloodcenter.org.

Extra supplies are being sent to the hospitals in advance of the storm and contingency plans are being implemented to keep the blood supply flowing during the storm.

NYBC supplies blood and blood products to hospitals serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  Approximately 2,000 volunteer donations are needed each day to maintain the blood inventory at adequate levels.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive,
Please call Toll Free:  1-800-933-2566 / Visit:  www.nybloodcenter.org

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive.  NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during summer and winter months.  Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit level.  Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria.  People over 75 may donate with a doctor's note.

About New York Blood Center: New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord blood bank. NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter. Follow us on Twitter: @NYBloodCenter.

SOURCE New York Blood Center