Sen. Harckham Sponsoring an Emergency Blood Drive in Carmel

April is National Volunteer Month, and New York State Sen. Pete Harckham is partnering with New York Blood Center (NYBC) to sponsor an emergency blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 3 at Drew United Methodist Church, 28 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY. 

New York Blood Center announced a “blood emergency” this month because of ongoing problems with the pandemic and reported that the region’s blood supply is dangerously low and donors are needed.

Donating blood is safe, and strong safety precautions are in place at donation centers. Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure social distancing. Prospective donors can call (800) 933-2566 or visit this New York Blood Center link to make an appointment.

“Every day is critical to the blood supply here in New York, especially during the current blood emergency,” said Harckham. “Donations are down since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that’s why I am trying to increase awareness about this issue. I am confident that community members will respond positively by rolling their sleeves and donating.”

This will be the second blood drive Harckham is sponsoring this year. According to NYBC, the first blood drive collected enough blood to save 100 lives.

Blood donors must wear a mask or face covering, and they will have their temperature taken during onsite registration. If donors are recovering from Covid-19, they must be symptom free for a minimum of 14 days. Individuals cannot donate if they are still recovering from Covid-19 or in the midst of self-quarantine restrictions.

There will be no onsite Covid-19 testing at the blood drive.

Blood donors are asked to bring their blood donor card and a photo ID with them.

Who:               State Sen. Pete Harckham and New York Blood Center

What:              Blood Drive

When:             9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 3

Where:             Drew United Methodist Church           

                       28 Gleneida Avenue

                       Carmel, NY

State Senator Harckham represents New York's 40th District, which includes the towns of Beekman, Pawling and the village of Pawling in Dutchess County; the towns of Carmel, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County.