Donors Fight Type O Blood Shortage

A shortage in Type O blood inspired local volunteers to host a blood drive at the Harrison Veteran's Building Tuesday afternoon, and donors from Harrison, West Harrison and Purchase fought through bad weather to answer the call.

In total there were 27 donors and more than one-third of them offered the much-needed Type O blood. All donations were collected by the American Red Cross.

It was a great turnout considering the weather and that only seven people had signed up in advance.

"It's always better than you expect," said Ada Angarano, the president of the Harrison Chamber of Commerce and organizer of several blood drives in Harrison over the last two years. Angarano said that each of the 27 donors will be able to help two or three people in need of blood.

"Donate some blood and save a life," she said, "I think that's a pretty good tradeoff."

Eleven people with Type O blood donated, some of whom have become regulars at community blood drives after realizing they have the type of blood in need.

"I'm starting to notice people with Type O blood coming more and more," said Angarano. "They know they have something special."

Volunteers were also asking donors if they are interested in becoming organ donors as part of Donate For Life Month. Three new people signed up to become donors Tuesday, according to volunteer Jennifer Lucas.

"We had a good crew with nice people," said Lucas, who has been volunteering at local blood drives for the last two years.

Vendors from the Harrison Chamber of Commerce provided food and coupons for donors throughout the afternoon. , and Off the Grid Restaurant made contributions to help the effort. Several other vendors including  provided coupons.

"It's a nice community thing," said Angarano. "Even though we have 27 people that turns out to be 80 people that can use that."