The American Red Cross Blood services, New York-Penn Region is proud to announce that it is celebrating 153 regional “Blood Donors of the Decade.” Donors of the Decade are blood donors who have given blood at least six times a year, every year, for ten years. Donors of the Decade being recognized from the greater Rochester area are: Ernest Parker, Gary Van Etten, Corning; Geoffrey Weaver, Fairport; Cory Pieters, Greece; Alan Arthurton, Palmyra; Brian Stotz, Anthony Werdein, Penfield; Andrew Allan, Brian Handel, Lee Kauffman, Bruce Sturm, Rochester; and Michael Adamski, Webster. The donors are being recognized in March as part of a month long celebration of National Red Cross month.
“It is such a tremendous accomplishment that these donors have achieved,” said Kay Schwartz, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region. “Thanks to their generosity hundreds, even thousands of lives have been saved. Their community spirit deserves to be recognized and praised. My hope is that they become an inspiration to all those who have never given blood before.”
It is estimated that 60% of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet only five percent of those eligible actually do give blood. Dedicated, volunteer blood donors who are committed to supporting the community blood supply are invaluable. On any given day an average of 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the United States. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. Red blood cells have a life of only 42-days, so the supply must constantly be replenished to remain stable. Blood donors are eligible to give every 56 days or up to six times per year.
All current eligible and new donors are urged to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood today by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visiting www.DonateBloodNow.org. Anyone 17 years or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. In New York State, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed New York State Informed Parental Consent for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive. The consent form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16. Identification is required at the time of donation to give blood.