By Laura Lane Mervosh
I book 160 people, and 60 usually don't show, she said. I am worried with only 50 signed up.
Originally, the blood drive was scheduled for Jan. 14, but when Long Island Blood Services neglected to send staff to draw the blood, volunteers were forced to go home, and the event was cancelled. Livermore believes that this year it is especially important to reach Bowling Green's collection goal -- 100 pints of blood.
We usually have a blood drive once a year, but this year had one in October due to 9/11, she said. Blood has a limited shelf life, and currently there is a blood shortage. Hospitals are receiving less of their usual blood supplies, and if something like 9/11
happened again, there wouldn't be enough blood.
Shipments to hospitals of O Negative blood (O Negative may be transfused to any patient in an emergency) have been reduced by 50 percent, and shipments of other blood types have been reduced by 25 percent. The lack of blood also inhibits blood centers in processing blood components such as platelets, which cancer patients and burn victims need.
Livermore said that, during this time of year, regular donors are often sick, causing the blood shortage to be more severe. There are only a few requirements to donate blood. A person must be over 110 pounds, in good health and between ages of 17 to 76.
In the past, Livermore had a personal experience in which donated blood was essential. Her daughter had leukemia and needed blood. Her daughter is now in remission. Livermore, though, remembers only too well the anxiety that she and family members
experienced when her daughter needed a transfusion and there was a blood shortage.
People who need blood don't need the added pressure
of worrying about the fact that there is no blood available, she said.
Blood drive, where and when
The Bowling Green Blood Drive is scheduled for March 18 from 3:30
