Blizzard Takes Toll On Blood Donations In NY, Conn.
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The blizzard of 2016 has taken a toll on the blood supply.
The American Red Cross and New York Blood Center are issuing a call for donations.
"Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, we don't get a winter break from needing blood," Stephanie Arcangelo of the Connecticut chapter told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau. "Blood donations are constantly needed."
Blood donations are typically down during the winter because of the holidays and cold and flu season, but it's especially scarce in wake of the storm.
Andrea Cefarelli, executive director of donor recruitment at NYBC, said more than 1,400 scheduled blood donations were canceled as a result of the snowstorm and more cancellations are expected throughout the week.
"We try and acquire blood from other blood centers that maybe were not hit by the storm, but the thing we need the most is for blood donations to increase in the next 10 days to replenish what we lose," Cefarelli told 1010 WINS.
Arcangelo said it's an easy process that results in huge rewards.
"Over the years I have met several blood recipients and simply those people would not be here today if individuals did not take an hour out of their day and roll up their sleeve," Arcangelo said.
It takes about an hour for the blood donation process and all types of blood are urgently needed, Arcangelo said.
For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org or NYBloodCenter.org.
