Blood donations needed due to Hurricane Sandy

Urgent blood drive to be held Nov. 1 in Nestor Hall Lounge.

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive Thursday to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Thursday, Nov. 1
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nestor Hall west student lounge.

To schedule an appointment, contact Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at rmurray@cscc.edu or go online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation and enter sponsor code “CSCC.”

The Red Cross is especially in need of blood to assist ethnic minority patients, but all blood types are needed. Donors must have a donor card or a driver’s license, or two other forms of identification. Donors must weigh at least 110 lbs and be in generally good health. If you gave blood on or before Sept. 6, you are able to donate this week.

Due to stress and injuries of Hurricane Sandy, the number of patients who need blood transfusions is increased. Premature births, heart attacks and multiple injuries are only a few examples of why there is a great increase in the need for blood donations.

Additionally, Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of approximately 300 American Red Cross blood drives in 14 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 9,000 units of blood and platelets thus far, according to the Red Cross.