How to be a local hero – in less than 1 hour

How to be a local hero – in less than 1 hour

By Clare Hammerl, Digital Marketing Specialist, ConnectLife

July 21, 2021

Everyone wants to be a hero, right? One of the easiest ways you can be a local hero is to roll up your sleeves and donate blood. Only one hour of your time can save up to three lives. It’s that simple.

The difference between life and death is just an expression to many. But for Rosanne Schaller and her family, the saying came to be when all three of her sons needed blood transfusions at birth in order to survive.

“I have three, healthy boys because of the selfless people that donated blood,” says Rosanne.

You could be that hero for a local family in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion. The best part is when you donate blood with ConnectLife, we keep all blood donations in Western New York.

ConnectLife is Western New York’s ONLY community blood bank. Basically, when you donate blood with us – it stays here, helping our neighbors, friends, family members, and community members. And ConnectLife blood donors help supply 70% of Western New York’s blood supply. That’s pretty amazing!

Now the question is what can I donate? We have a few different options for you. And depending on your blood type, we suggest you target your donation to make the biggest difference.

Whole Blood Donation

Most people choose to donate whole blood. The whole process takes less than one hour, it is quick and easy. All blood types are needed for whole blood donation.

Double Red Cell Donation

During double red cell donation, we collect only your red blood cells. Red blood cells are the most needed blood component for transfusion. The blood types most needed for double red cell donation is O-, O+, A-, and B-.

How Do I Make an Appointment?

Give our team a call at 716-529-4270. You can also visit ConnectLife’s website at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org to search for blood drives and locations nearest you. ConnectLife is also accepting walk-ins in a limited basis.

Come donate at our Hamburg Community Blood Donation Center at 45 Church St., Hamburg, NY 14075 (Hamburg Moose Lodge – Banquet Room). We are here the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 12:00pm – 5:00pm.

COVID-19 Important Information

• As a designated healthcare facility, masks must continue to be worn at all ConnectLife locations and blood drives regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for continuing to support the safety and health of our staff, donors, and visitors.
• There is no wait time to donate blood after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.
• Before you come in to donate or consider making an appointment please read through our FAQs on blood donation safety, disinfecting of our facilities, wearing your mask when donating, NYS COVID-19 guidelines, etc. (Click here for FAQs)

Unyts is now ConnectLife! ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue, and blood donations. That’s how #weconnectlife. To learn more about how you can join our mission visit www.ConnectLife.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & TikTok at @weconnectlife.