With Nearly 20% Less Blood Collected Than Is Needed, Schumer Unveils Plan to Promote Blood Donations Upstate

With Nearly 20% Less Blood Collected Than Is Needed, Schumer Unveils Plan To Promote Blood Donations Upstate

With Four of Eight Major Blood Types Currently at Low Levels in the New York-Penn Region, Red Cross Issues Statewide Warnings and Hospitals Feel Impact

Schumer, Who Donated Blood This Month, Will Urge Federal, State, and Local Governments to Give Comp Time for Workers Who Donate Blood a

With blood in short supply should an emergency occur, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today released a detailed regional analysis of the blood shortage affecting upstate New York and announced a new plan to increase donations. Right now, blood centers across upstate New York have collected less than is needed to fulfill stockpile goals and are stocking less than a three day supply of O-negative and O-positive blood, the most frequently requested types. Schumer also said that recent flooding in the Southern Tier, Capital Region, and Hudson Valley slowed donations this summer because blood drives had to be canceled. Schumer today called on state, federal and local governments and businesses to start granting comp time this week to employees who donate blood to help replenish depleted supplies. Schumer also urged the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate with New York's blood centers in a joint public relations campaign to boost donations nationwide.

"The bottom line is the life-blood of New York may well be drying up," Schumer said. "We all want to make sure there is a steady, safe supply of blood available for whenever we need it. When the supply of blood is low, it threatens basic patient safety and the public health. The good news is, it is very easy to get our supply back to normal levels and if we all do our small part, we'll be fine."

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