Red Cross of Northern New York trying to make up for blood drives canceled by bad weather; clinic Tuesday in Potsdam

POTSDAM -- The American Red Cross of Northern New York is asking blood donors to help make up for blood drives that had to be canceled in recent months because of bad weather.

Bad weather caused blood drives to be canceled and more than 18,000 expected Red Cross blood donations nationwide went uncollected while hospitals' needs for blood went up.

A drive at the Potsdam Presbyterian Church, 42 Elm St., is set for Tuesday, June 7 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Double Red Cell donation available at this drive. All donors in June will receive a Best Buy coupon.

In addition to the needs of accident victims or patients having surgery, burn victims, patients with blood disorders, cancer patients and many others may need blood during their treatment.

There is a particular need for people with negative blood types -- O-negative, A-negative and B-negative -- to give blood now. While all blood types are needed, type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a summer shortage.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor cards or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.

To schedule your appointment to donate blood as soon as possible or to get more information about donating blood, call (800)-REDCROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.