Cymbrowitz Sponsoring Blood Drive In Front Of Community Office

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, together with the New York Blood Center, is sponsoring a blood drive, August 2 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. outside his community office, 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road between Shore Parkway and Emmons Avenue.

According to the New York Blood Center, there is always a dire need for blood supplies in area hospitals. Here are some facts from the New York Blood Center’s website, which underscore how important it is to donate the gift of life:

• 4.5 million Americans benefit from life-saving blood transfusions each year.
• 40,000 pints are transfused each day in the United States.
• New York Blood Center alone requires over 2,000 volunteer blood donations each day to meet the transfusion needs of patients in close to 200 New York and New Jersey hospitals.
• 1 out of every 3 people will require a life-saving transfusion sometime during their lifetime.
• Transfusion recipients include cancer patients, accident, burn and trauma victims, newborn babies, transplant patients, mothers delivering babies, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, etc.
• Much of today’s sophisticated medical care (transplants, heart surgeries, etc.) rely on blood transfusions.
• Car accident and trauma victims may need as many as 50 or more red cell transfusions.
• Severe burn victims may need as many as 20 platelet transfusions.
• Bone marrow transplants may require platelets from over 100 donors and red cells from over 20 people.
• Blood products are perishable: Donated red cells last only 42 days; Donated platelets last only 5 days; Plasma can be frozen for a year.
• The need for blood never takes a holiday.

Walk-ins at Cymbrowitz’ office are welcome, but appointments are appreciated. Most people between the ages of 17 and 70 may donate. Call Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078 to either make an appointment or for more information.