Swine flu not clotting local blood supply

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By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: Nov 18, 2009 at 11:49 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) -The blood supply locally is doing just fine.

A recent report by the Wall Street Journal found that blood centers nationwide were dealing with a shortage because potential donors were falling ill with novel H1N1 or Swine Flu, leading to blood drive cancellations.

The New York Penn Region which spans from the Mohawk Valley to Rochester and south to Pennsylvania is in good standing according to the American Red Cross.

Red Cross Communications Manager Marianne Schreyer said there is no evidence that the H1N1 or other flu viruses can be transmitted to people receiving blood products from donors, but donations from the sick are often discarded.

Schreyer also said that while supplies are sufficient today, it's important for healthy donors to visit blood drives because supplies dwindle during the holiday season.

In Oneida County, the next two blood drives held by the Red Cross are:

December 1st at SUNYIT in Marcy from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Oriskany High School from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Herkimer County:
November 19 Dolgeville High School 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

November 21 Ilion Municipal Building 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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