By:Angela Marshall
Ban on European donations would worsen outlook
The Food and Drug Administration's proposal to ban European blood donations in the United States has administrators at Long Island Blood Services worried. If approved, the ban would lessen the blood supply to our area by 25 percent, making it difficult for LIBS to meet the demands of local hospitals. The proposal for barring donations from foreign countries, and Americans who have recently traveled abroad, comes on top of an already serious blood supply shortage in the New York area.
The FDA is considering the exclusion of foreign donations to avoid possible contamination by the new variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, the human version of Mad Cow Disease.
The ban would also apply to people who "traveled or lived in Britain for three months or more from 1980 until 1996, or spent five years in any European country since 1980," according to a statement released by New York State Senator Charles E. Schumer.
Americans who have cumulatively spent six months or more in Britain from 1980 to 1996 have already been barred from donating.
The ban on donations from American travelers and those who have lived abroad will eliminate an additional 10 percent of New York's donors, according to Sue Lingenfelter of Long Island Blood Services. In addition to the threatened loss of European blood -- imported supplies come from Germany, Switzerland and Holland -- the New York area is already at a dangerously low level.
"There is less than a one-day supply of O neg. We don't have any on our shelves," said Lingenfelter.
When hospitals receive a patient in need of emergency care and do not have time to type the patient's blood, medical personnel will administer O negative blood -- thereby making it the 'universal donor' and most-needed blood type.
LI Blood Services supplies approximately 800 pints of blood to area hospitals each day, according to Tina Kovolisky, account manager for LI Blood Services. According to LIBS statistics, only two percent of eligible New Yorkers who could donate blood, do donate blood. The Nationwide average is approximately five percent.
"If five percent [of eligible donators] contributed locally, we would never have a blood shortage," said Lingenfelter.
"There is no proof that Mad Cow Disease is spread through blood but there IS proof that the ban could put Long Islanders in jeopardy. This will create a crisis like we have never seen," she continued.
Schumer agreed, saying, "This is an emergency that threatens basic safety. Our blood supply in New York was critically low before the FDA advisory panel recommended a ban on blood from Europe, and this recommendation takes us from bad to worse."
In order to meet current demands, the New York Blood Center has declared an emergency and is appealing to area blood banks including the fixed site located at 333 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre. In order to donate blood, volunteers must be between the ages of 17 and 76, in good health, and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.
The Village of Rockville Centre has joined forces to increase donations and is holding a blood drive at the Rec Center, 111 North Oceanside Road, from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, August 6. To register, call Monica Derr at (516) 678-9260.
The Chamber of Commerce has asked all of its members to encourage patrons to sign up.
Mercy Medical Center will hold its annual summer blood drive from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22. To register, call Rita O'Keefe at (516) 705-2068.
At a glance
Blood drives
- John A. Anderson Rec Center, 111 North Oceanside Rd. on Monday, Aug. 6, from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call Monica Derr (516) 678-9260.
- Mercy Medical Center, 1000 North Village Avenue, on Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the staff education classrooms of the St. Anne's building. Call Rita O'Keefe at (516) 705-2068.
- Long Island Blood Services, 333 Merrick Road. Dates and times vary. Call for an appointment, 1-800-933-BLOOD.
Donors must be in good health, between the ages of 17 and 76 years of age, and weigh at least 110 pounds. You can only donate blood every 56 days. Donors should have eaten and bring reading glasses and ID.
Volunteers wanted
Volunteers are needed to help the American Red Cross staff local blood banks. Volunteers talk to donors, serve snacks and must be willing to commit to three-hour shifts. However, there is no pressure to volunteer every week. Training is provided. For more information, call (516) 747-3500, extension 247.
