Emergency Appeal, the New York Blood Center Services (NYBC), is appealing to the public for donors. Red Cross Inventories of blood types A-, O+ and O- are critical and an urgent situation for donors. Stony Brook University Medical Center strongly encourages donations.
When a disaster or an emergency occurs, it is blood on the shelf that is desperately needed; new donations require days to be tested before becoming available for transfusion. When blood is donated, it is given directly to a patient in need at Stony Brook University Medical Center.
To give blood, donors must be between the ages of 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Even people on blood pressure and cholesterol medication are eligible to give blood if their conditions are under control, as are diabetics that take insulin injections. Individuals can safely donate blood every 56 days, yet less than 2 percent of our population donates blood each year-and most donate just once. All blood donor groups are urged to help.
For more information call Jennifer Peace at 444-7586; or to make an appointment, call 631-444-DONATE. The Blood Bank is located on Level 5 (main level when you enter the hospital from the Visitors Parking Garage). Donations are accepted Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM; Saturday appointments are available. Registered nurses are on hand to assist donors in a comfortable environment.
