ALBANY, N.Y. - If you have ever considered giving blood, now may be a good time to do it, after more than 200 donation drives were cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
The blood center at the Red Cross building on Everett Avenue are open all day and encouraging donors.
It is a relatively simple process that NEWS10's Nicol Lally is participating in Thursday. The process takes about an hour, including the paperwork, health screening and actual donation.
Superstorm Sandy forced so many blood drives to be canceled up and down the east coast resulting in a blood shortage. They say all blood types are needed.
The supply is necessary during a disaster because blood has a limited shelf life.
Nationwide, around 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients, and people with blood disorders so it is important to maintain inventory.
Blood drives will be held locally at the following locations:
Albany Everett Road Donation Center: 33 Everett Rd, Albany, Thursday from 11:30-7:00 and Friday from 6:30 to 1:00
University at Albany State Quad Anthony Hall: 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, Thursday from 12:30-6:30
Crosstown Blood Donation Center: 2330 Watt St., Schenectady, Thursday from 11:30-7:00
For more information and eligibility requirements, go to http://www.redcross.org/ny/albany.
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