The Peru Gazette

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced he will be hosting blood drives in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake this week and an additional drive in Malone in October. Jones’ drives will help supplement local hospitals, which typically experience a shortage of blood donations during the summer months.

“Tragedy can strike at any time, which is why it’s critical that our hospitals have access to blood in a time of need,” said Jones. “But unfortunately, blood donations often diminish during the summer when families go on vacation. I encourage everyone who can to come out and do their part to help ensure patients in need can receive lifesaving blood.”

Blood donations are necessary for surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic injuries and traumatic injuries, and a single blood donation – whether whole blood, platelets, red cells or plasma are used – can provide lifesaving treatment to up to three people.[1] Jones will be holding the following blood drives:

• Saranac Lake Blood Drive: Thursday, Aug. 29, noon – 5 p.m., Adirondack Health, Second Floor, Redfield Board Room, 2233 New York 86

• Plattsburgh Blood Drive: Friday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., UVM Health Network-CVPH, Auditoriums A and B, 75 Beekman St.
• Malone Blood Drive: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Alice Hyde Medical Center, Cafeteria Conference Room, 133 Park St.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in good health and meet all the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New York State Department of Health donor criteria, which can be found at www.nybloodcenter.org. For more information, contact Assemblyman Jones’ office at 518-562-1986 or JonesB@nyassembly.gov.