January 21, 2014
Colin Flood, the son of Firefighter Kevin Flood of Engine 210 in Brooklyn, desperately needs blood platelets donated.
Colin needs extremely risky liver surgery to remove a bad infection. The surgery’s two major dangers are infection and bleeding. Colin now has a very low platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding, because platelets play an important role in forming clots.
He will be getting 1-2 transfusions every day for the next few weeks. If you can donate platelets, PLEASE come to
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Schwartz Building Lobby
1250 First Ave. (between 67th and 68th streets)
Manhattan
For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Blood Donor Room at (212) 639-7643, or go to the mskcc.org/giving/blood Web site. If you’re coming by car, you can get vouchers for free parking at two nearby garages.
Colin will also need blood, but platelets are a priority for him right now. The procedure and paperwork for donating take about 2½ hours.
Donating platelets is easier than donating blood. After the blood is taken from your arm, the platelets are filtered out, and the blood returned to you. The hospital suggests that you increase your consumption of calcium-rich foods (such as dairy products) or take a calcium supplement the evening before your donation and also the morning of your donation. Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for at least 72 hours before your appointment, and do not take any non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) for 48 hours before your appointment. Tylenol is acceptable.
