Nassau County (N.Y.) Executive Laura Curran is warning residents that several hospitals in the county are experiencing a "blood emergency," according to a Newsday report.
The minimum blood reserve is seven days, and current blood supplies at the local hospitals would last four days.
To alleviate the critical shortage of blood at the hospitals, Ms. Curran is urging eligible residents to donate blood.
"Our local hospitals are currently facing a blood emergency," Ms. Curran said, according to Newsday. "We want to ensure all patients and hospitals that they have access to lifesaving blood now. They need it now."
Since stored blood has a shelf life of about six weeks, supply must be continuously replenished. About 2,000 donations a day are needed to maintain supplies in the region.
County officials said there are fewer blood drives and donations during the summer because people are away on vacation.
"A lot of people wake up and ask how can they help people. This is a direct, lifesaving measure that almost everybody can participate in," Nassau County Health Commissioner Lawrence Eisenstein said, according to Newsday.
A list of donation centers is available at nybloodcenter.org.