The alarm has sounded alerting healthcare professionals that there is a blood shortage problem in the New York area. The message is clear: communities must work together to ensure that future patients won't be deprived of all means necessary to treat medical emergencies, say experts in the field. The Winthrop-University Hospital community has answered the alarm by opening a new blood donor center at 200 Old Country Road, Suite 451, in Mineola.

The center was designed to provide a comfortable atmosphere and encourage residents to donate blood. There are brand new comfortable chairs and televisions for the comfort of donors. On Friday, Winthrop and Long Island Blood Services held a ribbon cutting ceremony, signifying the opening of the Blood Donor Center. The new blood center is the result of a collaborative effort by Winthrop-University Hospital and Long Island Blood Services.

"It really does change your mindset in terms of access and in terms of giving," said Winthrop President and CEO Daniel P. Walsh about the comfort of the facility. "What's it's really all about is enhancing the opportunity for people to give blood. It's really a needed thing and I'm pleased that Winthrop is a part of it."

According to Dr. Walsh, the new blood center provides another avenue for community members to donate blood and with the area in desperate need of blood, each vehicle for donation is critical.

Dr. Robert Jones, president and CEO of New York Blood Center, a not-for-profit, community-based organization, said connecting to donors is a constant struggle. "Blood shortages worldwide are becoming the norm. In our area, we have our own problems every shortage period and a facility like this is really going to help us reach the community," he said.

Blood shortage has become an important subject for many community members who are impacted by the need for blood. When United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's son Kevin was badly injured during a tragedy over seven years ago, he was in need of blood transfusions. "It's a matter of a healthcare issue for our whole community," she said. "What we want is to be there for everyone."

Since Congresswoman McCarthy worked as a nurse, she is familiar with the problems a blood shortage could pose. "It's amazing how many are still afraid to give blood," said Congresswoman McCarthy, who stated she schedules an appointment to donate blood every six months. Congresswoman McCarthy urged others to band together to help solve the problem. "Giving blood is probably the one of the best things you can do for the community," she said.

Village of Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert was on hand to celebrate the opening of the blood center. In April, the village will be part sponsor of a blood drive held at the community center of Mineola Village Hall. "Winthrop Hospital is such an integral part of our community and they have reached out with this partnership regarding blood, which is the gift of life. I really appreciate that," the mayor said.

Also appearing for the opening of the blood center was Mineola Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus, Nassau County Red Cross CEO Victor C. Hackett Jr. and Joy Savasta and Teri Ranfone of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

All those on hand recognized the importance of blood donations. Winthrop Vice President of External Affairs John Broder believes that if the community can get its residents to donate blood once, they will most likely donate again.

Blood donation is crucial since the demand for blood has increased due to an aging population, an increase in the number of cancer diagnoses and treatments requiring aggressive chemotherapy and blood transfusion support and an increase in the number of sophisticated medical and surgical procedures that require blood such as open heart surgery. To magnify the problem further, an advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration recently recommended restricting blood donations from individuals who have spent a significant amount of time living in Europe due to the possible spread of Mad Cow's Disease, according to Winthrop Hospital.

According to Joseph Chiofolo, MD, medical director of Transfusion Services at Winthrop, there was a lot more blood and not as much blood needed years ago. Now, however, there are constant shortages, he said.

Twenty five percent of blood to supply this region is brought in from Europe and a lot of that blood has been diminishing in quantity, said Dr. Chiofolo. "Americans haven't quite stepped up to the plate to replace that type of loss. In addition, I think people realize they're doing so many wonderful things in medicine - transplantations, cancer chemotherapy, open-heart surgeries - which they weren't doing years ago. These procedures take a lot of blood. If the demand increases and the supply is not there, this is what throws us in to such great crisis," he added.

The region is in grave danger since in a few years, the blood supply from Europe will be gone completely, Dr. Chiofolo believes. "We've lost several thousand units over the past few years and I think people are realizing that if we don't step up to the plate now, we're going to have a major crisis in this area," he said. "Theoretically, if that 25 percent goes away, people will not do well at hospitals."

Currently, only five percent of Americans donate blood and in New York, only one to two percent of residents are blood donors. The purpose of the new blood center is to increase that number by making blood donation convenient. For additional information on the new Blood Donor Center or to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, call 1-800-933-BLOOD ext. 15 or (516) 663-9660.