Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, REF - Sag Harbor) is encouraging East End residents to donate blood at the Hampton Bays Fire Department Blood Drive on Saturday, May 11 from 9am to 3pm. New York Blood Center (NYBC) has just declared an emergency blood shortage for the next few weeks.

According to NYBC, new data showed the number of red blood cell donors has dropped from 270,501 in 2015 to 185,856 in 2019, marking a 31 percent decrease. Right now, blood supplies have reached critical lows, with all blood types dipping well below a seven-day reserve, including a one- to two-day supply of O- and B-. NYBC typically tries to maintain a seven-day reserve to ensure all patients and hospitals can access the blood they need.

It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can be used to save multiple lives. Nearly 2,000 donations are needed each day in New York and New Jersey alone. About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion, and with a limited shelf life, supplies must be continually replenished.

Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more. Donors with O-negative blood type, or “universal donors,” are especially encouraged to attend, as their blood can be used in emergencies.

If you are eligible, please make a donation. People who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health may be eligible to donate blood. All medical eligibility requirements can be found at the NYBC Web site or by calling 1-800-688-0900.

The Hampton Bays Fire Department Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 9am to 3pm at HBFD Station 1, 106 Ponquogue Avenue. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Chris Collins at 631-655-9328.