Poughkeepsie firefighters seeking blood donors

POUGHKEEPSIE – The American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage on September 11, citing a critically low blood supply level that dropped nearly 25 percent since early August. The blood shortage is being addressed on Tuesday, September 26 in Poughkeepsie with a blood drive at Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) in honor of Poughkeepsie Fire Chief Joe Franco.

At the time the blood shortage was declared, Chief Franco was feeling the effects of a recent series of surgical issues that resulted in an almost daily loss of blood for the chief.  Franco has more than 40 years of experience in helping others during their time of need and this is a chance for the community to return the favor.  After learning of Chief Franco’s need for blood, Mid-Hudson News partnered with the Poughkeepsie Fire Department and the American Red Cross Eastern New York, headquartered in Poughkeepsie, to get more donors for the existing blood drive scheduled for September 26. After hearing of Chief Franco’s situation from Mid-Hudson News, the Red Cross agreed to bring in more staff and add donation times, while naming the blood drive in Franco’s honor.

The firefighters stepped up and began spreading the word of the drive for Chief Franco, and the added spots began filling up.  Very few appointment spots were left as of Sunday.  For information on the drive and to schedule an appointment, click here.  “Joe has always had the backs of his firefighters and takes care of everyone.  This is our chance to follow his lead and help someone in need.  It’s what we do as professional firefighters,” said Poughkeepsie Firefighter Brian Ineson, who serves as vice president of IAFF Local 596, the union that represents the City of Poughkeepsie firefighters.

When blood supplies are low it can often take weeks for inventories to rebound. The Red Cross estimates they must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month for the blood supply to reach sufficient levels and meet hospital and patient needs.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors.

Individuals who cannot make it to VBMC on Tuesday are still encouraged to help address the shortage.  To make an appointment to give blood or platelets, donors can use the Red Cross Blood App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is working with hospitals to meet the blood needs of patients but says they can’t do it alone. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

There are many different illnesses that require blood products as part of the patient’s treatment. For example, individuals with sickle cell disease may depend on frequent blood transfusions – needing as many as 100 units of blood per patient each year. Patients undergoing cancer treatments often require blood or platelet transfusions during their treatments. In fact, nearly half of all platelet donations are given to patients undergoing cancer treatments – a disease all too familiar to millions of Americans and their families. Approximately 2/3 of all children diagnosed with cancer will require a blood transfusion at some point during their treatment.

Those who come to give blood throughout September will be automatically entered for a chance to a win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at rcblood.org/racetogive. Those who donate in September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts.