Residents are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and donate blood during Wantagh Fire Department’s community blood drive on March 2.
The drive will be held from 1:45 to 7:45 p.m. at the fire department’s headquarters, at 3470 Park Ave.
“We know the tough times and the shortages and the need for this out there,” Thomas Bloomfield, a former chief of the Wantagh Fire Department, said. “We try to stay on top of it and make sure we do it at least twice a year.”
With New York constantly experiencing a shortage in blood supply, the department typically hosts its drives in the first week of March and October. “There's only so much blood out there, and the blood only lasts so long,” Bloomfield explained. “There's always a need for blood.” He estimated that the department typically collects around 70 pints of blood per drive.
“The start of the year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood,” Dr. Lawrence Fialkow, divisional medical officer of the American Red Cross, recently wrote to the New York Department of Health. “Severe winter weather, seasonal illnesses and post-holiday schedules can disrupt donations.”
Organizations will typically hold multiple blood drives within a year to capitalize on a fast turnaround time for repeat donors. Whole blood can typically be donated every 8 weeks, according to the Red Cross.
In addition to the fire department, also co-hosting the drive will be State Sen. Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Schneider and County Legislator Kayla Knight.
Ensuring a safe and reliable blood supply, Rhoads argued, is the epitome of helping neighbors in their most critical moments.
“Every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood, whether it’s an accident victim, a cancer patient, or a child facing a serious illness,” he said. “In those critical moments, they are relying on the generosity of people they may never meet.”
Phillips echoed similar sentiments in a Jan. 28 Facebook post by writing, “Be a hero. Donate blood. Save lives.”
During a whole blood donation, one pint of blood is drawn from the body, which typically holds 10 to 12 pints. With proper nutrition, the body will replenish its own supply in less than two months.
For the safety of donors and blood recipients, prospective donors must meet certain eligibility requirements before collection can begin. In New York, donors must be at least age 17, or 16 with their parents’ permission.
In addition, most donors must be at least 120 pounds, or heavier, depending on the type of donation being made. Other ways of collecting blood include “power red donations,” where the focus is on collecting red blood cells. It is more time intensive than a standard donation and can be done every 112 days.
Appointments, which are preferred for the March 2 drive, can be made at NYBC.org. The Red Cross recommends that donors eat iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins, prior to donating blood. A good night’s sleep and proper hydration are also recommended.
“Community blood drives play a vital role in saving lives and ensuring our hospitals have the resources they need during emergencies and everyday medical care,” Knight said. “By coming together as a community, we can make a real difference for neighbors in need. I encourage everyone who is able to participate and help support this lifesaving effort.”
Because agencies are eager to encourage donations, nearly anyone can apply to host a blood drive by contacting the American Red Cross or the New York Blood Center, and completing the application process.
What separates Wantagh’s blood drive from others across Long Island, Bloomfield argued, is the unique community atmosphere.
“It's a homey place,” he explained. “It's not like you're giving blood in a factory somewhere. It's just a nice vibe that we have there, that we've been keeping.”
Additional reporting by Chris Colucci
