The Town of Oyster Bay is urging local residents to give the gift of life and participate in their semi-annual blood drive this Thursday, August 2.
In partnership with Long Island Blood Services, the drive seeks to replenish emergency blood reserves during the summer season, a time when supplies typically tend to run short. Blood drives attended by Oyster Bay residents tend to account for a large percentage of the blood collected by LIBS, allowing them to save countless lives every year.
Supervisor John Venditto said that everyone should kick in on the blood drive for the good of the community.
“Blood banks need to be prepared 365 days a year,” he said. “That is why people should always donate whenever they can. Donating is quick and easy and is an entirely safe procedure. All materials used during the process are sterile, disposable and used only once…by you. There is no danger of contracting any disease, including AIDS. The pint of blood you donate will never be missed by your body, which manufactures an equivalent amount in 24 hours. When broken down into component parts, one single pint of blood can be used to heal and help the bodies of three different people.”
The locations for the blood drives are as follows:
- Town Hall North at the Blood Mobile, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.);
- Town Hall South (Conference Room), 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.);
- Department of Public Works (Sanitation & Recycling) at the Blood Mobile, 150 Miller Place (7:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Town employees only);
- Department of Public Works-War Room (Highway), 150 Miller Place, Syosset (11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.);
- The Hicksville Athletic Center, 167 Broadway (one block north of Old Country Road) Hicksville (2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).
To qualify as a blood donor, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note);
- Weigh at least 110 pounds;
- Not have donated blood within the last 56 days.
All blood types are needed, especially O positive and O negative. The Town will provide refreshments for everyone who donates.
Councilman Muscarella said asked residents not to sit out on this important event.
“Remember,” he said, “there are many people out there hoping you are the type to give blood. More important, you may also be the ‘right type’ for a patient waiting for the gift of life.”
Anyone requiring additional information should contact Nancy Haarstick at (516) 624-6304.
