FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Diina, 400-7249(c), sdiina@ConnectLife.org
Urgent plea for blood donors
ConnectLife, WNY’s only community blood bank, is making an urgent plea for donors. Donations have reached a critical low and there is currently less than a 3-day supply of all blood types. The significant decrease in collections could result in local hospitals not getting the blood they require for patients in need.
Buffalo’s snowstorm earlier this week, and severe winter weather across the country, is continuing to wreak havoc on the blood banking industry. In addition to drive cancellations and missed appointments, the weather has seriously impacted the shipment of testing specimens due to cancelled flights and blocked roads. This situation is expected to continue for at least several more days.
The need for blood never ends. It is vital that all who are eligible to donate, and those who have ever thought about donating, consider giving now for our families, friends and neighbors in need. ConnectLife is the primary supplier of blood products for over 70% of WNY, including our regional trauma centers at Oishei Children’s Hospital and ECMC. It is our responsibility to answer the call for blood products to ANY hospital in need, but we need help from blood donors to do that.
There are appointments available through the remainder of the week at ConnectLife’s Neighborhood Blood Donation Centers-
ConnectLife Headquarters Donation Center 4444 Bryant and Stratton Way, Williamsville Friday 7am-12pm and Saturday 7am-2pm
Southgate Plaza Donation Center 984 Union Road, West Seneca Friday 11am-4pm
Tonawanda Donation Center 96 Niagara Street, Tonawanda Saturday 7am-2pm
For a full list of blood drives across the community please visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716.529.4270. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Download this press release here.
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Unyts is now ConnectLife! ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue and blood donations.