Gioia & New York Blood Center Call for City Aid in Expansion of Mobile Blood Donor Coa...(s show an increase not only in the numbe...),Health

Date:8/11/2008

s show an increase not only in the number of blood drives with the use of the donor coaches but also in the units of blood collected by donor coaches over the last five years. The total number of mobile bus drives increased from 1,317 in 2002 to 1,827 in 2006. The total number of collections from mobile bus drives increased from 28,453 to 38,972.

"New Yorkers have always given blood when faced with a crisis," said Councilman Gioia. "But it's difficult to give blood when there are no facilities by where you work or live, and driving isn't an option. We need to stop the boom and bust cycle or blood donation, and more mobile vans will do that. Expanding the mobile donation center program makes sense so that we can expand the number of New Yorkers who want to give blood but don't have access to donation sites. New Yorkers have generous hearts; we just need to make it easier for them."

"Patient care is now threatened based on an extremely tight, three-day blood supply," said Robert L. Jones, MD, President, New York Blood Center. "We certainly welcome the public's help to get through this emergency period, and we're always looking for ways to prevent future emergencies."

Recent medical advances have increased the need for blood, with more patients being saved than ever. One out of three people in their lifetime will require a life saving blood transfusion, and each donation can save up to three lives.

All donors receive free mini-medical exams on site and information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 with parental consent (in NY) or 17 (in NJ), 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. Inquiries are also welcomed from organizations who would like to schedule an emergency blood drive.

To contact NYBC:

Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566

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SOURCE New York Blood Center Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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