As executive director of Long Island Blood Services, I am once again appealing to you and your readers to donate blood and/or platelets to help our community this winter. We are experiencing a critically low blood supply lasting through February. Unless something drastic happens, we will have less than one day's supply of O negative blood (which anyone can receive in an emergency situation). If we continue to have a snowy winter, the situation will be worse.

This dangerously low blood supply can create a severe health care crisis for patients in our area. If blood inventories do not rise, it is likely that this winter elective surgeries will be cancelled and even emergency care can be impacted.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. Every three seconds someone needs blood. The demand for blood is greater today than ever and our communities supply needs constant replenishment. Your donated blood will assist accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatments for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.

Therefore, I urge anyone eligible to donate blood and/or platelets to call our toll free number at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) to make an appointment at one of the many permanent and mobile donation locations. Donating blood can literally make the difference between life and death for thousands of men, women, and children in our community daily.

Thank you for supporting the community's blood needs.

Linda E. Amper, Ph.D.

Executive Director/Vice President