{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"New York Blood Supply Drops to Critical Levels as Donations Fall 40% Below Demand","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":663,"description":"New York is facing a growing blood supply shortage, and health officials say the situation is becoming increasingly critical.The American Red Cross and regional partners, including the New York Blood Center, report that in parts of the state, blood donations are running nearly 40 percent below hospital demand. O-type blood — along with A-negative and B-negative — is especially needed.Blood is essential for everyday hospital care, from emergency trauma response and childbirth to cancer treatment and chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease. Nationwide, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. When supplies run low, hospitals may be forced to delay surgeries, infusions, or other lifesaving care.January is National Blood Donor Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about the ongoing need for donations — particularly during the winter, when supplies often dip.“So this month exists because donations during January are so low,” said Jennifer Malinchak, a registered nurse and manager of Occupational Health and Wellness at Garnet Health. “In 1969, actually President Nixon declared January to be National Blood Donation Month. So that started in 1970, so it has a long history.”Malinchak joined Radio Catskill to discuss the statewide shortage and an upcoming community blood drive hosted by Garnet Health in partnership with the New York Blood Center. Garnet Health is also a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.Winter weather, seasonal illnesses, holiday travel, and scheduling disruptions all contribute to fewer donors during this time of year.“We have for various reasons, as you can imagine — the weather, right? We have a pending storm coming this weekend, wintertime illnesses, the holidays, people planning holiday events and also travel,” Malinchak said. “So blood donation may not be at the forefront of people’s minds.”On the front lines, the shortage is already having real impacts.“There is a critical shortage right now, so that impacts the ability that...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}