Blood Drive Set For January 8

To Meet Dwindling Supplies

American Red Cross officials say blood supplies are dwindling and donors aren’t responding in time to replenish them, forcing the rationing of some blood types at the state’s hospitals.

“This is one of the worst holiday seasons we’ve seen in a long time,” said Lynn Townshend, spokesman for the American Red Cross blood services in Farmington, which collects and distributes donated blood to state hospitals.

Red Cross officials say the holidays are hard on blood supplies because people are busy with other activities and don’t take time to donate. Blood drives by the Southeastern Fairfield chapter collected 574 pints between late November and late December, about 31 percent less than 1999. The mid-Fairfield chapter based in Norwalk collected 336 pints, slightly less than the 1999 total.

According to the Red Cross, Connecticut blood supplies are down about 11 percent over the same period last year. Because donated blood can be used three different ways – as plasma, red blood cells, and as platelets – the loss is significant, Ms Townshend said.

Blood types O-negative, O-positive, and B-negative are particularly lacking, she said.

The Newtown Lions Club and the Newtown Woman’s Club are co-sponsoring a blood drive on Monday, January 8, from 8:30 am to 6:45 pm at the United Methodist Church hall, 94 Church Hill Road, in Sandy Hook. For an appointment call 800/433-1879.

To donate blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have given blood within the past 56 days. Less than a pint is taken; adults usually have 10-12 pints in their body. It takes about 24 hours for your body to replace your blood volume or plasma. You should drink extra non-alcoholic fluids and get a good night’s sleep the night before.