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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 316-11
August 30, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ENCOURAGES NEW YORKERS TO GIVE BLOOD

Emergency Blood Drives Scheduled to Address Critical Blood Shortage Due to Hurricane Irene

Photos and Video from the Blood Drive are on www.flickr.com/photos/nycmayorsoffice and www.youtube.com/mayorbloomberg

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today encouraged New Yorkers to donate blood as part of the City's Hurricane Irene response and recovery efforts. This blood drive follows the Mayor's emergency appeal this weekend for blood donors after shutdowns and power outages resulted in the loss of more than 2,000 units of blood. The supply of several blood types, including O-negative ("universal donor") blood, which is normally maintained at a three-to-five day inventory level, has dropped below the two day minimum level. About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. The Mayor made the announcement at New York Blood Center's (NYBC) MetLife Donor Center in Manhattan where he donated blood and was joined by Health and Hospitals Corporation President Alan D. Aviles

"New Yorkers went above and beyond to help each other during Hurricane Irene this weekend, and now we are asking for donations to potentially save lives," said Mayor Bloomberg. "As a result of the storm, blood supply in the city is very low, so I hope all New Yorkers who can take the time to make a donation do so. Giving blood is easy and it can help save a life."

"Ample blood supplies are especially vital to the six Level 1 Trauma Centers operated by the public hospital system," said HHC President Aviles. "I urge HHC public hospital and health center employees and all New Yorkers to help relieve this critical shortage by taking time out to donate blood."

"We are grateful for Mayor Bloomberg's support as he regularly rolls up his own sleeve to donate blood," said NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis. "With Labor Day right around the corner, we hope New Yorkers will follow his lead as we need the help of our community to replenish the blood supply."
 
The six Level 1 Trauma Centers in New York City are: Harlem and Bellevue hospitals in Manhattan, Lincoln and Jacobi hospitals in the Bronx, Elmhurst Hospital in Queens and Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn.

New York Blood Center is one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. It has been providing safe, adequate and reliable blood supply to almost 200 hospitals, serving 20 million people, in greater New York since 1964. New Yorkers who would like to donate blood to the New York Blood Center should call 311 or 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566).







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Stu Loeser/Samantha Levine   (212) 788-2958



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