Make a blood donation -- Thursday or Friday at Upstate University Hospital -- and you can potentially save the lives of three individuals.

That's because four types of transfusable products can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Two or three of these are typically produced from a pint of donated whole blood.

Appointments are appreciated for the blood drive scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 24 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25 in Cafe 750 on the second floor of the hospital in downtown Syracuse. Contact Linda Underwood at [email protected] or call 464-6755.

Donations can be made by staff, students or visitors. All help reduce the cost of blood purchased by the hospital for patient care. And, since patients continually require various blood products, donations are constantly needed.

Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.

Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection.

Plasma and cryoprecipitate are stored in frozen state and can be used for up to one year after collection.

Donors with healthy bone marrow make a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. The body replenishes the elements given during a blood donation, some in a matter of hours and others in a matter of weeks.

If you can't make this week's blood drive, consider signing up for the one that will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, May 5 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 in classroom A & B at Upstate University Hospital's community campus. Schedule an appointment by contacting Jean Pirozzi at [email protected] or 464-8668.

While walk-ins are welcome at both drives, it‘s best to call ahead at the numbers above to make sure there‘s no wait time.