The Red Cross wants to remind you that during the summer is important to donate blood too.  They are looking to prepare for the summer as blood shortages are common during the summer months, when schools and businesses are less likely to have blood drives, and when people are on vacation and might not make it a priority to donate. 

Donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative are even more important. Type O negative blood is universal and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to both Rh positive or negative patients. Is it just the summer where it is important to donate? No, the need for blood is constant, and every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a transfusion (from redcross.org).
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days and individuals can give platelets every seven days – up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Just a few places where you can donate blood locally:

  • 6/17 Dutchess Community College,  53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • 6/19 East Fishkill Fire District Headquarters, 2502 Route 52, Hopewell, NY 12533 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • 6/20 Poughkeepsie Galleria, 2001 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
    10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • 6/27Town of Pleasant Valley, 1554 Main Street, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
    9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • 6/27, New Paltz Fire Department No 1, 25 Plattekill Avenue, New Paltz, NY 12561 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • 6/27, Galleria at Crystal Run Mall, 1 Galleria Drive, Suite 142, Middletown, 10941 10:00 AM- 02:00 PM
  • 6/29 NY State Courts, County Offices, 22 Market St Poughkeepsie, 12601
    9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • 6/30 Cellular Sales, 160 Dolson Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940
    10:00 AM- 03:00 PM

More From WRRV-WRRB