ConnectLife - Blood Donors Needed

Blood donation remains an emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One year after the onset of COVID, we continue to experience a destabilization of the blood supply across New York state and locally in WNY. While events were postponed, schools were closed, and businesses went remote, the need for blood never stopped.

Since March of 2020 ConnectLife has had close to 1000 blood drives cancelled. Hospital utilization of blood has steadily increased while the region’s only community blood center is consistently experiencing less than a 3-day supply of all blood types. To ensure a safe blood supply for our local patients in need it is imperative that healthy, eligible individuals donate blood. Blood has a short shelf life and must be continually replenished.

ConnectLife is the primary supplier of blood products for over 70% of WNY, including our regional trauma centers at Oishei Children’s Hospital and ECMC. It is our responsibility to answer the call for blood products to ANY hospital in need, but we need help from blood donors to do that.

The WNY community is urged to make an appointment or walk-in to donate this week. To find a drive in your neighborhood please visit www.ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716-529-4270.