Contact: Michael Fraser, (518) 455-3751/ (518) 859-8518
Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) is partnering with the American Red Cross once again to sponsor an annual summertime blood drive. Finger Lakes residents can donate blood at The Inn on the Lake, located at 770 South Main Street, Canandaigua on Tuesday, July 8 from 1:30 to 7:00 p.m.
"The American Red Cross blood program has been serving folks for more than 70 years, and it now supplies 40 percent of the nation's blood reserves. The Red Cross plays a vital role in responding to emergencies in New York, across the U.S. and abroad, and I am honored to support its efforts," Leader Kolb said.
Blood drives suffer a drop-off of donors during the summer months. On average, about two fewer donors schedule appointments to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than are necessary. This can add up to more than 100,000 fewer donations during the summer. The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusions centers across the country. It only takes about an hour to donate. The American Red Cross encourages all those eligible to consider donating.
"Many people say they never fully understood the importance of donating blood until they or someone they love needed it," said Kay E. Schwartz, CEO of the Red Cross New York-Penn Blood Services Region. "Donors are needed every single day to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients this summer and throughout the year."
According to American Red Cross guidelines, potential blood donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 lbs, and all participants must be in good health. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit their Web site to make an appointment.
"One of the primary reasons for giving blood is to help those in need. Donating blood is one of the most valuable gifts one can give, and it is also one of the most rewarding," continued Leader Kolb. "Taking the time to donate blood this summer will greatly help the Red Cross and can even save lives. Please join me in providing this valuable resource to our community."