New blood donation site opens at Mt. Alverno Center

Warwick - Donating one single pint of blood is a simple, selfless act that can benefit many people. Now, those who wish to donate can do so right here in Warwick. Community Blood Services has teamed up with St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, opening a new four-bed blood donation facility at the Mt. Alverno Center on Grand Street. Many local dignitaries were on hand last Thursday to mark the grand opening of the Warwick Donor Center, including state Sen. Thomas Morahan, Assemblywoman Annie Rabbit, Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard and Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton. The center will be open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Community Blood Services tries to make it convenient for people, sending its crews around the area to local blood drives. Sundays are big days for them as churches host blood drives for their members. Still, there is a shortage of available blood, especially in the winter. According to the Community Blood Services Web site, while 75 percent of people will need blood at some point in their lives, only 5 percent actually donate blood. In the northern New Jersey, southern New York area, 300 blood transfusions are done every day. In order to meet that demand, 200 pints of blood are needed from donors each day. Winter is especially tough on the donor population because there is more sickness. People are deferred because they have a cold or infection. It takes five days after completing a prescription for antibiotics to give blood. Someone with any type of infection must wait two weeks from when the last symptoms appeared before donating. On top of that, most people wait until a blood drive is happening somewhere close by, causing them to donate only sporadically. People at least 16 years of age and at least 110 pounds may donate every six weeks “St. Anthony Hospital is pleased to be joining forces with Community Blood Services to help meet the blood collection needs of our community,” said Jeff Reilly, St. Anthony’s vice president of administration. “Our shared expertise and commitment can combine to make a difference in maintaining a strong blood supply for the patients at St. Anthony and other hospitals in Orange County.” The center will be staffed with trained professionals from Community Blood Services’ Goshen division. Donors may call 845-295-3362 to make an appointment to donate and walk-ins are also welcome. Appointments are needed to donate platelets. Donors also can continue to donate at Community Blood Services’ Goshen donor center, 7 Coates Drive, Suite 5, on Tuesdays through Thursdays and on Saturdays.