The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (hereinafter ‘WeLoveU’) opened their new community center in New Windsor, and held a blood drive as their first open house event in partnership with the New York Blood Center. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., 80 pints of blood were donated, which can help save up to 240 lives. In addition to donating, residents learned about local and regional volunteer opportunities.
The New Windsor blood drive marked WeLoveU’s 504th worldwide blood drive to help relieve blood supply shortages for hospitals and clinics. Additional WeLoveU blood drives were held in Chile, Cambodia, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and other countries around the world.
Blood centers in 2022 began to report the worst blood shortages in over a decade, raising concerns about patient care. The severe blood shortages are forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more blood supplies become available. WeLoveU has led local, national and global blood drive campaigns since 2004, mobilizing more than 37,000 voluntary blood donors and continuing the effort to help alleviate the blood shortage crisis.
“On behalf of the New York Blood Center, we want to thank the volunteers who’ve come out today to give their blood,” expressed Louisa Duffy, Manager at the New York Blood Center. “At a time of critical blood need, it’s happening in a very challenging time of year, and you’re all here giving yourselves to help patients and to help all of us. We’re very grateful for WeLoveU’s support.”
“As long as there is a need for blood, WeLoveU will remain committed to voluntary blood donations,” explained Executive Director of WeLoveU, Duane Ford. “Each of WeLoveU’s volunteer events are designed to deliver a mother’s love to those in need. At a time when our world is facing many diverse challenges and disasters, it is important to take action now more than ever. We invite our neighbors and any newcomers to join us this year as we strive to solve real-world challenges, the global blood shortage crisis being one of them.”