A blood donor is a special kind of volunteer.
One donation of blood can help save up to three lives. New York Blood Center provides blood services to hospitals throughout the metropolitan area.
We are fortunate to live in a region where sophisticated medical facilities and transplant programs are available. These programs require many blood donations.
When there is not enough blood, patients wait for hours for blood they need, delaying their recovery.
Patients who are weak from low iron wait for red cells; patients whose bodies have been assaulted by chemotherapy wait for platelets that will allow their blood to clot again.
Patients who have been on an organ transplant lists for months or years and finally get an opportunity for an organ will lose that opportunity if there is no blood.
Therefore, the need for blood is constant-you never know when someone you care about might need blood. To be eligible to donate, you need to be between the ages of 16-75, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.
You must have photo ID with you. Each donation can be separated into different components and therefore help save many lives !
Did you know that our local hospitals need more than 2,000 pints of blood each day?
That means they need you help. I myself understand that only too well. I myself as Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus help run two blood drives a year at St. Anastasia parish in Douglaston as a member of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus council #5911.
As for your information we will be having one on Sunday Nov. 15 between the hours of 8:45-2:45.
If you want to donate earlier you can call their office 1-800-688-0900.
You can also check their web-site which is: www.nybloodcenter.org. So please donate for the life you save could be your own or someone you know and love.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
Editors note: writer is Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus council #5911 in Douglaston.
