Oswego County Announces Blood Drive and Mammography Screenings Oct. 17

by Contributor | October 6, 2024 12:44 pm

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department partners with the American Red Cross and Upstate Medical University to host a blood drive and mammography screenings on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nick Sterio Public Health Center, 70 Bunner St., Oswego.

“We’re thankful for Upstate Medical University’s partnership in bringing their mammography van to our office during Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor. “We’re also happy to welcome the American Red Cross back for our bi-annual blood drive.”

Observed every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month raises awareness about and encourages screenings for breast cancer. The Upstate Medical University’s mammography van parks in various locations around Central New York to make breast cancer screenings more accessible and convenient for residents.

Frequent and consistent screening for breast cancer helps with early detection and reduces the chance of death from the disease. Being able to detect and treat breast cancer early helps improve health outcomes.

The mammography van is equipped with a state-of-the-art 3D digital mammogram system, private exam room, dressing rooms and a waiting room. Appointments for a mammogram are required. Women aged 40 or older, who have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months and are not experiencing breast problems are eligible for an appointment.

To receive a screening mammogram, Upstate University Hospital requires a prescription or order from your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, the registered nurse on site can give a clinical breast exam and an Upstate physician will provide an order for a one-time mammogram.

To schedule an appointment with Upstate University Hospital, call 315-464-2588 or visit www.upstate.edu/noexcuses/[1].

At the same time, the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive in the health department’s training room. To be eligible to donate blood in New York State, donors must be aged 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and must be in good health and feeling well. According to the American Red Cross, good health means that a person feels well and can perform normal activities.

Regular blood donors can donate whole blood every 56 days, up to six times a year. Frequent blood donors can track their donation history and schedule an appointment for the blood drive using the American Red Cross Blood Donor phone app.

First-time blood donors should consult with their health care provider about any protentional concerns and to find out if donating blood is right for them.

Eligible donors must register for an appointment to donate blood. To register with the American Red Cross, visit www.redcrossblood.org/give[2] or call the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3497 for assistance.

Throughout the event, food will also be available for purchase from the Phat Guy Burgers food truck.

“Whether you come to get a mammogram, donate blood, grab lunch or do all three, we hope to see you soon at the health department,” said Dunsmoor.

For more information about the event, call the Oswego County Health Department’s Preventative Division at 315-349-3547.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/announcements/oswego-county-announces-blood-drive-and-mammography-screenings-oct-17/

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