Stony Brook will be having a Spring Blood Drive Week, which started on April10 and will end on April 19. The need for donors to donate blood is always high;however, there is a certain sense of urgency this month.
‘The United States will stop importing blood from Europe starting in Mayadding to the already limited supply of blood,’ said Navid Ghani, assistantto the deputy to the president. ‘Therefore we are calling for students,faculty, and others to come out and donate blood in this time of need.’
According to the Long Island Blood Services a total of 800 units of blood tomake up the loss of the imported blood to meet the needs of our area hospitals.
‘The blood shortage is a very pressing problem,’ commented FreshmanTracy Joseph. ‘Having a decent supply is important for hospitals everywhere.As students, we should all take an active role in trying to alleviate this shortage.’
The Stony Brook community has also been very generous in donating blood. Todate Stony Brooks Blood Drives are 147 units ahead of last year, which showsthe definite growth.
In February, a record-breaking number of blood donations were taken at residenthalls and apartment complexes. Stony Brook students donated 396 pints of blood,compared to 382 pints last year. Additionally, 204 students signed up for thebone marrow registry.
The New York Blood Services have been so impressed that they have given StonyBrook some new Spring Emergency Blood Drive dates for April and May. The drivewill take place at a variety of locations around campus.
The dates and times are as follows: Wednesday, April 10 at the Health ScienceCenter Level 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 at the Student UnionBallroom from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, at the Student Union Bi-Levelfrom 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.,
Thursday, April 18 at Endeavor Hall S. Campus from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., andFriday April 19, at the Veterans Nursing Home 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
‘It is very important for rare blood types to be in stock in the hospitalbecause it can mean the difference between life and death in a patient,’said EMT Alison Moe from the Emergency Department at the University Hospital.’We can do our best to save his or her life, but if we don’#146;t havethe right blood for the patient, then he or she might die regardless of ourefforts.’
Students who donate blood will also get a free mug with your own mug shot onit. It usually takes a short amount of time to donate blood and as Ghani added,’It literally takes twenty minutes to save a life.’ Anyone with questionsregarding the Blood Drive should call 632-6100.
