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Give Thanks for Your Own Good Health By Helping Others in Need

Make November's Thanksgiving Holiday mean much more than overeating and 27 shopping days until Christmas. Share your good health with those in need by being a life-saving volunteer blood donor this November.

Fifty-three hospitals on Long Island require over 600 pints of life-saving blood daily to help save the lives of cancer and surgery patients, accident and burn victims, hemophiliacs, AIDS patients and countless others, noted Regina Henry, recruitment manager, Long Island Blood Services.

There are no substitutes for blood, and "it is only through the selfless acts of volunteer blood donors that we can hope to ensure the vital human demand for blood is met," explained Regina.

In fact, there is currently an urgent need for platelets, which are used to stop bleeding in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and for bone marrow transplant patients, among others.

The advanced medical technologies and procedures performed in the metropolitan area "has created a greater than normal demand for platelets at this time of the year," explained Regina.

Numerous corporate, community and school blood drives are held throughout local communities each day. In addition, Long Island Blood Services operates six permanent donor sites that are open to all donors. To find one near your home or office, and verify the days and hours of operation call 752-7300. Any medical and donor criteria questions should be directed to the Nursing Department at 752-8400.

Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 75, weighing a minimum of 110 pounds and in good general health can be a life-saver. The blood donation process only takes about an hour and features a free mini-health exam (iron count, pulse, blood pressure and temperature). Photo or signature ID and Social Security number are required at the time of donation.

Most blood drives on Long Island and Queens are administered by Long Island Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center (NYBC). NYBC on a daily basis supplies over 2,200 pints of life-saving blood to more than 150 New York/New Jersey hospitals serving approximately 20 million people.