Got blood?
Give some.
Please.
Supplies have reached emergency levels because of 50,000 fewer donations in June than were expected, leaving the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products than it had at this time last year.
Today, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta, the local Red Cross is having its annual Communities That Care Blood Drive.
Not everyone can give blood. There are weight restrictions, visits to certain countries, recent tattoos, etc., that will disqualify some people.
Blood from gay people is not accepted, a vestige of the concern over spreading the AIDS virus. Because of much-improved testing of donated blood before it gets to the general population, the Red Cross is re-examining that policy.
There will be a time when we can debate whether the policy should be changed _ it most certainly should be _ but for now, the need is urgent, and those who can donate, most certainly should consider donating a pint.
All blood types are needed, Red Cross officials said, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative.
It doesn't take much time. Most donors are in and out in less than an hour.
If you give blood regularly, you'll have a donor card that you'll bring with you. If it's your first time, you'll be asked to show your driver's license or two other forms of identification.
You'll be given literature to read. Then they'll take your temperature, check your pulse and blood pressure and ask you a lot of questions, all designed to make sure you are healthy enough to donate and that your blood is safe.
There's a pin prick of one of your fingers to check your hemoglobin level. Once you're cleared to donate, one of your arms will be cleansed and a new sterile needle will be inserted opposite your elbow.
It really doesn't hurt very much. It feels more like a quick pinch than anything else. The folks working there know what they're doing.
The routine donation itself takes about 10 minutes.
If you're giving what's known as a "double red" donation in which a machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you, it generally takes about a half hour or so.
After you're through donating, you'll be offered a free drink and snack, and then you're on your way.
It's all very easy, and when you leave, it will be with the knowledge that not only are you being a good citizen, you're helping someone whose life may well depend on that blood you just donated.
Editorials
Those who can should give blood
- Editorials
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In our opinion: Cheers
To Cherry Valley Fire Department, Lucy Ford and Jason's Run.
Continued ... -
We still must sing out against prejudice
It is easy for Americans to congratulate ourselves over how far we have come since the Jim Crow days of segregation and other examples of racial and religious prejudice.
Continued ... -
Fathers give roots to families
THIS EDITORIAL first ran in The Daily Star in 2001. It runs again this year in tribute to all dads for Father's Day.
Continued ... - A grand old flag, indeed
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DOT needs to fix Chobani traffic woes
"Growing pains" have been invoked with regard to Chobani several times. The company is a dynamic example of the fact that, as positive and desirable as rapid growth may be for a business, it can carry with it unanticipated challenges.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 12, 2013
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Equality Act about more than abortion
Could it have been 50 long years ago Monday when President John F. Kennedy uttered these words?
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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In our Opinion: Cheers
Cheers to Girls on the Run, Sherburne Pageant of Bands and Cancer Survivors' Day.
Continued ... - Monday, June 10, 2013
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Severe weather deserves respect
The phrase "storm chaser" conjured up an image familiar to us from television and the Internet. Picture a wobbly video, punctuated by the excited shouts of the person behind the camera as he tries to capture a grainy image of a far-off funnel cloud.
Continued ... - Saturday, June 8, 2013
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Raising smoking age is a good idea
When it comes to government officials promoting public health, voters have always preferred a subtle nudge to a heavy hand. Just ask New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose hamfisted attempt to ban large sodas was shot down in March amid widespread jeers.
Continued ... - Friday, June 7, 2013
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DNA swabbing benefits outweigh concerns
According to a Supreme Court ruling Monday, yesterday's fingerprinting is today's Q-Tip inside a suspect's mouth.
Continued ... - Thursday, June 6, 2013
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D-Day lessons still strong today
This editorial first appeared two years ago on the 67th anniversary of D-Day. We present it again with minor changes to honor those Americans who fought and died in the Normandy invasion.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 5, 2013
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It will take courage to get rid of Silver
The concept goes back at least to the early 16th century, and probably much before Niccolò Machiavelli wrote in "The Prince" about plotting against someone who holds power.
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 4, 2013
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In our Opinion: Cheers
To the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, the Wall that Heals, and a fire safety demonstration for OHS seniors.
Continued ... - Monday, June 3, 2013
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Tax-Free NY offers great potential
We often hear that New York state has some of the highest taxes on businesses in the country. So an opportunity for select businesses to operate totally tax-free sounds almost too good to be true.
Continued ... - Saturday, June 1, 2013
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Secure Rx forms could help fight abuse
The recent disappearance of about 800 blank prescription pads from Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown raises a couple of troubling issues.
Continued ... - Friday, May 31, 2013
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Why not expand Hall Classic a day?
Given the professionalism and competence evident over the years at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, we were impressed, but not the least bit surprised, Saturday when as Jeff Idelson said: "The weather gave us lemons, but I think we were able to turn it into lemonade."
Continued ... - Thursday, May 30, 2013
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Adding vocabulary to the bee spells success
If a young person has his or her eyes on winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., near Washington, D.C., it's no longer enough to know how to spell a lot of really difficult words.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 29, 2013
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Boy Scouts are now more 'morally straight'
This is what the Boy Scouts of America organization calls its "Oath (or Promise)":
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cheers
To Marie Bruni, Maj. Kevin Molinari, and a $10,000 donation to Cooperstown Central School.
Continued ... - Friday, May 24, 2013
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
Continued ...
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In our opinion: Cheers



