Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he will be hosting a series of blood drives, beginning at the end of August, to help address the nationwide blood shortage in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic took a serious toll on New York’s blood supply as blood drives were limited or cancelled to prevent the virus from spreading,” said Jones. “Now, after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, we have seen a rise in the number of trauma cases, transplants and elective surgeries requiring blood products, which has depleted our blood inventory even further. I’m hosting a series of blood drives to encourage everyone who can to donate blood and help saves lives as we continue on our path to recovery.”

Blood donations are essential for surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic injuries and traumatic injuries, and a single blood donation can provide lifesaving treatment for as many as three people. To help to mitigate the ongoing blood shortage, Jones will be hosting the following blood drives:

• Saranac Lake Blood Drive: Monday, Aug. 30, noon – 4 p.m.
  Adirondack Medical Center, Red Field Room, 2233 State Route 86, Saranac Lake, NY

• Plattsburgh Blood Drive: Friday, Sep. 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  UVM Health Network CVPH, CVPH Lab, 75 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY

• Malone Blood Drive: Wednesday, Sep. 22, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Alice Hyde Medical Center, Cafeteria Conference Room, 133 Park Street, Malone, NY

To donate, eligible donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 years old with parental consent. They must also weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in good health and meet all the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New York State Department of Health donor criteria, which can be found at nybloodcenter.org.

For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assemblyman Jones’ office at 518-562-1986 or at JonesB@nyassembly.gov.