To help hospitals meet the ongoing and pressing need for blood, Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson and Town Councilman Tom Hand invite residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Monday, October 4th from 1pm to 7pm at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville.

 

Councilwoman Johnson stated, “Residents can save lives by donating blood this October at the Hicksville Athletic Center. Blood supplies have seriously dwindled as a result of the COVID-19 health pandemic and are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive to help bolster our blood banks and ensure as many people as possible can be helped.”

 

Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past 12 months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen, compliments of Councilwoman Laura Maier.

 

Councilman Hand added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. This past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us, especially for our health care system, and it is up to all of us to help pitch in to make sure our Healthcare Heroes are able to continue to provide lifesaving efforts.”

 

For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact the Town’s Public Information Office at (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/296864.