Who Says Negatives Can't Be Positive?

Rh-Negative Blood Types - Patients Need YOU

New York Blood Center (NYBC) and its call upon the community to please give blood this month. Rh-negative blood is particularly needed immediately, but healthy people of all blood types and ethnicities are encouraged to donate today to help make certain that our region is prepared for predictable blood needs and any unexpected contingencies.

People with Rh-negative blood, including A-, B- and O-, comprise just 15% of the population yet their blood can be safely transfused to the remaining 85% of the population.

Most notably, people with O-negative blood are known as "universal donors" because their blood can be transfused into anyone. Type O-negative blood is found in just 6 percent of the population, but is used more often by patients with other blood types, especially in emergency rooms and trauma situations. It is used in exchange transfusions for newborn babies and pregnant women, and for premature babies in intensive care units.

Every two seconds, someone needs blood. But with schools closed for the summer and workers away on vacation, there are far fewer people available to donate blood. H1N1 related school closures in late spring meant the loss of hundreds of blood donations, and recession-related layoffs and business closings continue to constrain access to available pools of potential blood donors.

Hospital use of blood products remains high — due to surgeries, emergencies and care of cancer patients. About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. Summer is also "trauma season" for most emergency rooms.

You can help patients in need by donating blood or organizing a blood drive within your community, house of worship, or place of work. People can give blood every 56 days.

To donate blood, please call:

Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org.

To schedule your very own blood drive please contact:

Queens/Long Island- Karen Muscolino at (516) 478-5038 or Kmuscolino@nybloodcenter.org.