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American Red Cross in Greater NY Seeks Volunteers to Help With Local Blood Drives
West Point Blood Drive Scheduled For March
The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) - Putnam/West Point is requesting volunteers from Putnam and Orange counties and the West Point community to help support the March blood drive conducted by the New York- Penn Region of the Red Cross at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The donated blood will be used for area hospitals and the military.
The blood drive will be held at Eisenhower Hall on Monday, March 19 to Thursday, March 22. Times are 11am-7pm Monday-Wednesday and 11am- 6pm on Thursday.
"Our chapter volunteers are always ready to support local blood drives," said Michelle Strom, director, American Red Cross in Greater New York - Putnam/West Point. "The volunteers provide registration services, guidance and comfort at medical stations, and they provide donors with food and water/juice after blood is donated. They also ensure that donors are not impaired and can walk and drive before they are allowed to leave."
To volunteer to help during blood drives and other Red Cross programs, please call ARC/GNY - Putnam/West Point at 845-938-4100. The American Red Cross in Greater New York is a key humanitarian partner and a vital participant in New York's plans and programs to help the nine million people in New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan counties prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The four-day Department of Defense blood drive at the United States Military Academy in January collected 1,600 pints of blood with 95 percent of the collection designated for the U.S military in Iraq. ARC/ GNY - Putnam/West Point volunteers supported that blood drive with 90 volunteers under the direction of co-chairs Sandy Blackman (from Fort Montgomery) and Cindy Palka (from West Point). In August, ARC/GNY volunteers will support another blood drive for the Hudson Valley Blood Center that will be held at West Point's Eisenhower Hall.
The American Red Cross asks each prospective blood donor about health history, which is performed for their safety and the safety of patients who receive blood. Eligibility to donate blood depends, among other factors, on your medical condition and past behaviors. Any person in general good health, at least 17 years old and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. In New York State, 16-year-olds are eligible to donate blood provided they have an original signed or faxed copy of the New York State Informed Parental Permission for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood. This form is available at
www.donatebloodnow.org .
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