Amid critical blood shortage, urgent plea goes out to NYC residents for donations

During a serious blood shortage, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) is encouraging all eligible donors to donate blood.

NYBC leadership stated that the city is currently facing a severe post-holiday drop in donations and urged citizens to donate blood during January, National Blood Donor Month, since it can save lives.

NYBC wants to honor the life-saving potential of volunteer blood donors and increase public awareness of the significance of blood donation during January.

According to Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at the New York Blood Center, January is always a challenging month for the blood supply because of the post-holiday rush, seasonal illnesses like COVID, the flu, and RSV, school breaks, and bad weather, which all make blood donations less important to New Yorkers. An essential reminder that the demand for blood never goes away is provided by National Blood Donor Month. This year is no exception; there is a severe scarcity of O- and B-blood types in the area. All Staten Islanders are urged to schedule a time to donate in their area, bring a friend, and begin the new year by giving the gift of life.

This yearly event, which was declared by President Richard Nixon in January 1970, is still essential for increasing awareness and fortifying the blood supply at a crucial time of year.

Joined by city officials and blood donation supporters, NYBC leadership held a news conference at the new blood center on Wednesday to celebrate its grand opening at 253 W 35th St. in Midtown Manhattan.

The new donation center is easily accessible and handy for both Manhattan residents and blood donors who commute to Manhattan because it is only a few blocks from Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

In order to assist replenish the blood supply and guarantee that patients receive the care they require, NYBC encourages all eligible donors to schedule an appointment or simply walk in to a nearby center or drive.

Staten Island Blood Center

Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, donations are accepted at the Staten Island Blood Center, located at 2791 Richmond Ave., New Springville. Call 800-933-2566 or visit https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/center/38 to make an appointment.

Blood donation is convenient and safe for anyone who:

Are in good health
Are 17 years or older (16 with a parent or guardian s written consent and 76+ with physician consent)
Weigh at least 110 pounds (Donors aged 16-18 have additional

height and weight restrictions

)
Are symptom-free for at least 72 hours following cold or flu

Eligibility may be impacted by recent tattoos, piercings, travel, and certain medical conditions or drugs. Find out more about the typical reasons why people are unable to donate.

Donors can visit nybc.org or call 1-800-933-2566 to schedule an appointment.

Upcoming Staten Island blood drives

Sunday, Jan. 12

1616 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head, Our Lady of Pity Church gym, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

The Staten Island Greenbelt Nature Center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 700 Rockland Ave.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

116 Main St., Tottenville, 123 Police Precinct, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Schedule and appointment

Call 800-933-2566 or visit https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/center/38 to make an appointment for any upcoming NYBC drive.

Not able to give blood? By contributing money or giving your time to NYBC’s goal, you can still have a life-saving effect. To find out more, click here.