In the face of increasingly significant blood shortages, the American Red Cross, along with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and America's Blood Centers (ABC), has issued an emergency national appeal for blood donors. Currently, the New York-Penn Region has a blood inventory level of slightly less than two days, but still maintains efforts to achieve a five to seven-day optimum supply to meet everyday and emergency blood needs.

The summer months are traditionally a challenging time for blood centers. During the school year, donations from high school and college students account for approximately 15 percent of Red Cross blood collections. In the summer, these groups become much more difficult to collect from, even while the need for blood continues.

“Right now, patients in hospitals across the country are helpless without the critical and immediate gift of lifesaving blood,” said American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans. “Blood needs to be on the shelves in anticipation of this need, and we can’t do that without the donors coming in the door.”

Tompkins County donors can give blood at the Ithaca VFW Post 961 at 423 West State Street, Ithaca from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. In appreciation of donors, the Red Cross will enter all presenting donors at this drive into a raffle for the chance to win a DVD player.

To donate blood, one must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. Call 273-1900 ext. 17 today to schedule a blood donation appointment. Those in need are counting on you. -