Recently, Long Island Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, announced that the blood supply for the New York metropolitan region is at an alarmingly low level. Long Island Blood Services estimates that the level is 50 percent less than it was at this time last year, and delivery cutbacks to area hospitals have already begun.

I have joined Blood Services in urging all Long Islanders who are able to give blood to make a donation soon. As a nurse, I know how much our hospitals rely on blood donations, and our dwindling supply must be replenished.

For more information about making an immediate blood donation, please contact the New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org to schedule a donation appointment at one of many locations on Long Island. You can also contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross by visiting www.givelife.org or calling 1-800-448-3543.