The New York Blood Center is putting out an urgent call for blood donations. Those dire blizzard forecasts forced the cancellation of blood drives, creating the largest single-day loss of donations since Hurricane Sandy. Our Roger Clark filed this report.
Arianne Carpio donates blood as much as she can. She has a personal connection that drives her to roll up her sleeves and give.
"My sister has a blood-clotting disorder, so one time she really needed the blood and her blood type is also really hard to find," she said.
The New York Blood Center is looking for donors like Carpio to step up. Predictions of a massive snowfall forced the cancellation of blood drives, and the center estimates that about 3,000 donations were lost. The organization collects and distributes blood for some 200 hospitals in the region.
"The blizzard that wasn't for us, the blizzard that was. It's as if we had all of that snow," said Jim Fox of New York Blood Center.
The Blood Center did stock its hospitals on Monday, but now it is playing catch-up. More than 2,000 units are needed daily to make sure there is plenty for trauma cases, transfusions and everyday surgeries.
"It's our job to keep them supplied and the numbers are big, but it's all about individual people," said Fox.
He says donating is easy and takes about an hour. As long as you are in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are between 17 and 75 years old, you can help. 16-year olds can too with parental consent, and folks 76 and older can with a doctor’s approval.
"It's a really selfless act. It's the easiest volunteering you can do," said Fox.
Rosemarie Bruno was donating Wednesday for her own hip replacement surgery, but has also gave blood for others in the past.
"I think it's a wonderful thing to be able to do," she said.
You can find more information on donating blood and a blood drive near you here. You can also call 1-800-933-2566.