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CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. The Hudson Valley Hospital Center will host a blood drive Dec. 23 to collect 60 units of blood for the busy winter season. Blood and its elements are needed for surgery, trauma and cancer and leukemia patients on a regular basis.
Its hard, in respects to the fact that Christmas is such a busy time. Christmas is all about helping one another, although its busy we like to emphasize blood, the gift of life," said Aimee Steinke, Hudson Valley Hospital Center blood bank supervisor. "Its the best gift of all.
Blood donors are needed on a regular basis because blood is perishable. Red blood cells, used for trauma patients, have a shelf life of 42 days. Platelets, bloods clotting element, expire every five days, and plasma, used largely for burn victims, expires after one year.
The entire process takes about an hour, although donation collection only takes between 15 and 20 minutes. There is a short personal interview, to determine eligibility, and donors will give one pint of blood, also known as one unit. People who meet certain height and weight requirements can choose to donate two units of blood in the same amount of time through the hospitals new Alyx machine.
Donors are then given a cookie and some juice to ward off any sick feeling and can stay until they feel ready to leave.
Any blood type becomes rare if you dont have it during an emergency, Steinke said. She said O donors are especially valuable because they are a universal donor.
The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 23. Donors can use the side entrance to the hospital to get to the Wagner Conference Room. Donors should bring identification. There is also a blood drive at Croton-Harmon High School, on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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