Kathryna Sablina has only been in New York City for a short time, the first thing she did since arriving from the Ukraine was donate blood, and she does it constantly.
“I started donating blood here in this country and the city because I think it is so important to save lives, today for you tomorrow for me,” he says.
However, not everyone thinks like her, the New York Blood Center has declared its first emergency of the current year.
Donations have decreased due to different factors, ranging from bad weather, school breaks, cold and flu season, among others.
According to the New York blood bank, last month, both this center and others nationwide, have suffered a drop of about six thousand blood donors, compared to the same period last year.
Yadira Navarro, spokeswoman from the NY Blood Center tells us about the needs they encounter:
“It is very important that Latinos donate blood, there are certain antigens in the blood that have to do with their ethnicityWith their culture, by donating blood we are saving the lives of anyone who needs it, but also Latino patients who need specific blood,” he says.
The idea is to recover the numbers of donors they had before the pandemic, they have indicated, but they need the help of citizens, as well as students, and young people who previously constantly donated blood.
“It only takes 45 minutes to an hour, one fills out the form, sits down with one of our workers, tests him for iron, takes his temperature and tells him if he can donate blood,” adds Navarro.
Luis Moncayo, a Hispanic blood donor sends a very supportive message:
“Just as you would like to help your family, helping other people who need it is important, because you don’t know that one day it will be your turn, that you will be the one who receives blood.”
The current crisis means less supply for hospitals, where it is used for everyone from cancer patients to accident victims.
In total 12% less than the needs of hospitals and patients.
“To be eligible one has to be between 16 and 75 years old, those who are 16 need their parents’ permission and those who are over 65 from their doctor, weigh at least 110 pounds, eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and feel good, even if you have cholesterol, diabetes, everything is under control if you can come and you will feel good, it will be an impact, there is no replacement”, continues Yadira Navarro.
According to the experts at this center, people who donate blood can do so every 56 days while platelet donors can do so twice a month.
