TROY MAYOR ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO DONATE BLOOD
TROY, N.Y. » With blood and platelet donations being distributed at hospitals faster than donations can be collected, Mayor Patrick Madden is supporting and encouraging Collar City residents to give blood to help the American Red Cross eliminate a nationwide winter shortage.
On Tuesday afternoon, Madden visited the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center in downtown Troy — along newly appointed Police Chief Brian Owens and others — to donate blood.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. officials from the Red Cross drew blood from elected officials and others in an attempt to help address the blood shortage, and as a way to raise awareness for others in the community to donate blood this winter.
TheRed Cross has a critical need for blood and platelet donors to help address a winter blood donation shortage caused by severe winter weather in parts of the country. Widespread flu infections and freezing cold temperatures have also impacted turnout at blood drives. Approximately 600 blood drives have been forced to cancel due to winter weather in 2018, causing more than 17,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Blood and platelet donations are urgently needed so patients can continue to receive lifesaving medical treatments, the organization said.
Madden said he wanted to participate by giving a blood donation this year, since he knows how important the donated blood is to others and how much the Red Cross needs blood during its nationwide shortage.
“With a nationwide blood shortage reaching a critical level, the need for donations remains in high demand,” said Madden. “The simple act of giving blood will serve an essential purpose, helping the American Red Cross replenish the blood supply to meet the needs of patients across the country. All blood types are needed, and I urge members of the Troy community to make an appointment to give this winter.”
Madden was joined Tuesday by newly appointed Police Chief Brian Owens, who also gave blood, who said he believes it is important for more people to donate throughout the year.
“I knowthere’s a critical shortage of blood supplies and it’s important, if you’re able to health wise and time wise, if you can stop down and donate blood it would be great, and if more people could do that then we would have more [blood] available on hand for those terrible circumstances where blood is needed,” said Owens before donating.
Officials from the Red Cross said they rely on days like Tuesday where their community partners are helping to raise awareness about the blood shortage.
“We rely on our community partners and volunteer blood donors to help save lives. We thank Mayor Patrick Madden, Troy Police Chief Brian Owens and all blood donors of Troy for their support,” said Sonja Ronovech, Red Cross Blood Services District Manager.
All eligible blood donors are urged to make an appointment to give now by using the Blood Donor app, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767).