After Irene, an appeal for blood donations

The New York Blood Center is issuing an emergency appeal for blood donations because it is short more than 2,000 units of all blood types in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

The supply of several blood types -- including O-negative, the universal donor -- is normally maintained at the three-to-five-day inventory level, but has dropped below a two-day minimum supply, center officials announced Monday.

"We anticipated the potential effects of Irene, and delivered extra blood in advance to our 200 partner hospitals," the center's vice president Rob Purvis said in a statement. "Our first priority remains getting them whatever they need for the care of trauma and cancer patients."

Due to concerns about the safety of its donors and staff, Purvis said the center closed all donor sites and canceled blood drives over the weekend, the key factor contributing to the post-storm shortage. New York Blood Center serves more than 20 million people on Long Island, New York City, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey.

"With Labor Day right around the corner, we're between a rock and a hard place," Purvis added. "We need the help of our communities to replenish the blood supply.

"We faced a similar situation after the Christmas blizzard and January's constant snowstorms, when cancellations meant the loss of 8,000 units of blood." Purvis said. "Our neighbors came through for hospital patients then, and replenished the blood supply. We need them to step up again, and schedule an appointment to donate lifesaving blood."

Purvis added that the need for blood is constant, regardless of the weather or holiday.

The shelf life of red blood cells is 42 days and that of the sticky cells called platelets, which aid in blood clotting is only five days. About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call: 800-933-256 or go to www.nybloodcenter.org