Blood Drive Set for February 24 at C.W. Post

Following several weeks of significantly reduced blood donations, Long Island Blood Services’ (LIBS) supply of blood has reached a critically low level, forcing LIBS to issue an urgent appeal for donations effective immediately.

To help address this shortage, the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, February 24, 2004. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public are invited to donate.

The drive will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fishbowl, Hillwood Commons. Later that evening, a blood drive will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. in Winnick Student Center.

Donations are critically needed to forestall cancelled surgeries, ER closures or worse, explains Dr. James Louie, Long Island Blood Services’ executive director. "Our supply is the lowest it has been since 2000 and has dropped by 50% since December 22."

In fact, the supply has been so tight Long Island Blood Services was forced to cut back deliveries of some blood types to area hospitals by as much as 40% and dip into its frozen emergency supply as well. "And without those cutbacks we would have had no blood available," Dr. Louie adds.

To make an appointment to donate at the C.W. Post February 24 blood drive, please contact Craig Harris, Director of Student Activities, at 516-299-2816 or email craig.harris@liu.edu. For further information about blood donations, please contact Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-688-0900. Appointments are suggested, but walk-ins are welcome.

To be eligible to donate, donors must present a valid ID and their social security number; weigh a minimum of 110 lbs.; be between 17 and 76 years of age; and have had no tattoos in the past 12 months.

The C.W. Post Campus, which is located on Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, will hold another blood drive on Thursday, October 14, 2004.