There are two upcoming blood drives to be held in Port Washington. On Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 9 Carlton Ave., is sponsoring a blood drive to be run by the Long Island Blood Services. To schedule an appointment, call the church office at 516-767-0363 or email stsblood@verizon.com. Walk-ins are welcome.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Red Cross is holding a blood drive at The Vincent Smith School, 322 Port Washington Blvd. To make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.
During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of complications.
Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.
“I began treatment [with] my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours. My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage,” she said. “I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood.”
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.
At the Red Cross blood drive, bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification to check in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health are eligible to donate. Individuals under 18 may have to meet other height and weight requirements.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit www.redcross.org.
