Syracuse Sun

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) has announced that his annual blood drive, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, will take place on Friday, May 16, at the McCrobie Building in Oswego. The drive is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Donating blood is a simple way to make a difference in our community and to help those in need," Barclay stated. "The need for blood donations is critical, and unfortunately never goes away. I’m pleased to host this year’s blood drive with our great partners at the Red Cross who do so much every day to save lives."

The Red Cross emphasizes that only 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, pointing out a continuous urgent demand nationwide. Blood is required every two seconds in the U.S., and numerous cancer patients may need blood, sometimes daily, during chemotherapy.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to schedule an appointment through Leader Barclay’s office at 315-598-5185 or by visiting the American Red Cross website. The donation process takes 8 to 10 minutes, with the total time including registration and recovery lasting approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Donors should ensure they eat well and stay hydrated before their appointment.