Red Cross May 13th Blood Drive to Honor Local First Responders
The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response will partner with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive in support of area first responders.
The drive will take place from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Red Cross space in the Ithaca Mall, 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca. The goal is to collect 39 units of blood.
For more information, or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org.
“With a simple blood donation, you have the ability to help save the life of someone who could be a coworker, loved one, or neighbor,” said Geoff Dunn, Community Preparedness Coordinator with the Department of Emergency Response. ”We urge eligible donors to join us in the selfless act of giving blood.”
Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients, and trauma victims, according to the Red Cross.
“I can’t think of a better to way to honor the men and women who put their lives on the line each day to keep their communities safe than by taking a few short minutes to give the gift of life”, said Natalie Mattrazzo, Red Cross Account Manager for Tompkins and Cortland Counties.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, and A negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type that can be safely transfused to anyone and is often used to treat trauma patients.
