Franklin Square responds to ‘blood emergency’

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Franklin Sqaure resident Maryone Gilmartin donated blood at the NYBC blood drive.
Franklin Sqaure resident Maryone Gilmartin donated blood at the NYBC blood drive.
Nakeem Grant/herald

In response to a local “blood emergency,” the New York Blood Center held a donation drive at the Franklin Square Library on June 27. According to the blood center, its supply is reaching a critical level due to a lack of donations during the summer months.

“Right now we’re on a real blood emergency, especially for certain blood types like O negative,” said Janice Baxter, the coordinator of NYBC’s blood drive. “We have over 100 units that are back-ordered, meaning there’s over 100 people that need the blood that we don’t have for them.”

Harvey Schaffler, the blood center’s executive director of donor marketing, said that concerns about the blood supply would be greatly reduced if more eligible blood donors contributed more often. According to Schaffler, nearly two million people in the tristate area have blood donor ID cards, yet only a small percentage of those who are eligible actually donate. “If all of those people were to donate just once a year,” he said, “we’d have an ample supply.”

Schaffler recalled that similar scenarios had arisen in the past, and that those experiences have helped blood centers prepare for emergencies. The most recent one was in September 2014. “Our biggest concern is being able to be prepared for the unknown,” he said. “We’re always aware of how much blood is needed.”

The preservation of blood is critical, Schaffler explained. Blood is perishable, and can quickly become tainted if not stored properly and administered quickly. The supply must be replenished frequently, and donations usually drop during the warmer months due to vacations and lack of awareness, he said. Summer is regarded as a “soft time” for donations.

“High schools, colleges and businesses represent about 20 percent of our blood donors,” he said. “I always say, before you go away, leave a pint of blood behind.”

Most of the residents who donated at the library were aware of the blood emergency and felt obligated to contribute to the blood center’s supply. “I’ve been donating blood for a long time already,” said Maryone Gilmartin, a Franklin Square resident. “I have A negative, which I’m told is fairly rare, so I said to myself, why not?”

Another frequent blood donor, Rosa Giordano, said she participated in this event to give back to those who are in need, given the NYBC’s blood emergency. “I feel like, being that I have the O positive, I feel like I have to kind of give back a little bit,” said Giordano, who also lives in Franklin Square. “I always try to do it every three months or so.”

Donor Gina Zaccari said that providing people with factual information and dismissing fears that donors will contract a disease could help get more residents involved and help alleviate blood shortages. “You’re not going to get AIDS, which is what a lot of people still think after all these years,” Zaccari said. “People need blood. If you’re in an accident, somebody’s got to give you blood.”

James Hopper, an Elmont resident, said he is adamant about donating blood, and that organizations like the NYBC should inform people about the personal benefits of giving blood, and how donations can help those in need and their families. “They don’t realize how much they’re helping themselves,” Hopper said. “When you donate blood, your body builds new blood. There’s nothing wrong with new blood. It’s fresh, it’s pure, and there’s no toxins.”

For Hopper, blood donations are as safe as charitable giving, and people who are eligible should make them regularly. “It’s like getting an oil change,” he said. “It’s very important to get your car’s oil changed for the longevity of your engine. To me, it’s the same thing.”

Schaffler encouraged people to visit NYBC’s website, www.nybc.org, or call (800) 933-2566 for more information on what the organization does and how people can donate.