Hauppauge, NY - April 23, 2014 - Today, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone encouraged residents to participate in upcoming blood drives sponsored by Suffolk County and New York Blood Center.  County Executive Bellone, donating blood himself, urged all residents to replenish the community blood supply as a result of cancelled blood drives from the harsh 2013/2014 winter.

“Each and every day there are thousands of patients who rely on transfusions of red blood cells to save their lives,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “I want to thank all our employees here in Suffolk County who participate in our year-round blood drives and I encourage all residents who are capable of donating blood to come out and join us at upcoming blood drives.”

The New York Blood Center reminded the public that there is no substitute for human blood, with about one in seven hospital admissions requiring a blood transfusion.  Blood is especially important for people with leukemia, other forms of cancer, and trauma victims. With a limited shelf life, supplies must be continually replenished.

County officials provided residents with a list of upcoming Suffolk County blood drives:
Wednesday, May 7 from 10:00am to 2:30pm at the DSS MacArthur Building, 3455 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma.

Tuesday, May 27 from 7:45am to 4:15pm at 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip.

Please logon to the New York Blood Center website at: nybloodcenter.org to find additional locations to give blood.

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Photo: County Executive Steve Bellone donates blood at the County seat in Hauppauge at a Suffolk County/New York Blood Center blood drive.