NYBC Launches "Holiday Gifts with Meaning"

These Quick Gifts Save Lives, and Don't Cost a Dime

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New York Blood Center (NYBC), serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, is facilitating holiday gifts that allow people to donate life-saving blood in someone's honor – "free" gifts with meaning.

"Think about all the people in your life who've been in a car accident, or had surgery, or are dealing with cancer.  They probably got a blood transfusion," said NYBC Chief Medical Officer Beth Shaz, MD.  "Especially at this busy time of year, we need to make sure that blood is always available for whoever needs it."   Dr. Shaz noted the blood supply needs constant replenishment because it has a shelf life of as little as five days, and that Type O-negative donors are especially prized because their blood can be transfused into anyone.

In the spirit of holiday giving, and mindful that a rough economy means many people have limited means to buy gifts, NYBC is offering three "free" gift ideas:

1.       Donate blood in someone's honor, and share your story on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter

2.       Encourage others to donate with a post on your own Facebook page.

3.       Download and print one of four different holiday cards to honor someone with a blood donation.  The cards are available at this link:   www.nybloodcenter.org/seasons-greeting

"Donating blood doesn't take much time," said Dr. Shaz.  "It doesn't cost a dime.  And, by donating in someone's honor, and sharing your motivation for donating, you're providing a gift with real meaning."

To schedule a blood donation 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, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin 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: @NY_BloodCenter.

Contact: Christine Dingfelder
[email protected]
212.835.1817 Office / 917.763.1648 Cell

SOURCE New York Blood Center