The New York Blood Center (NYBC) is declaring a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donation preceding and following Memorial Day weekend. In May and June, donations have been 2,100 units short of what is needed to meet hospital demands. Annually, more than 56,000 traumas are reported in New York State, the majority of which occur on weekends and during the summer months. Blood transfusions are . The region currently only has a 2-day blood supply of types O- and B-, well below the optimal level of 5-7 days.

Be a hero and save a life! See registration link below and required donor information.

• Appointments strongly encouraged. Please click here to reserve a spot.
• Walk-ins welcome, but may be required to wait outside until a slot opens up.
• To volunteer or make an appointment contact Seryl Ritter sermc@aol.com or 917.301.8463.
• Donors must be healthy, aged 17-75, 16 with NYBC parental consent form and proof of date of birth.
• Photo ID required.

Donors Upon Arriving:

• Will have their temperature taken
• Will be asked to show their blood donor card if they have one
• You may NOT donate blood if you have had a positive diagnostic test or experienced symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days … or if you are currently on self-quarantine restrictions

Please be aware that we do not test for COVID-19. You should contact your health care provider if you want to be tested.
For medical eligibility questions, call 1-800-688-0900.       

One again American MDA overseas volunteer, Rachel Orloff will be joining us at the Blood Drive. Rachel volunteered in Israel. Children and parents are welcome to meet Rachel at the Blood Drive and learn about the experiences of a medical volunteer.

Learn about the important life saving work that medics do, and join story time where they will read a book from "Avi the Ambulance" book series. Rachel will be accompanied by her therapy dog, Charlie, providing her with an opportunity to explain how such specially trained animals assist MDA in helping injured and hospitalized patients.  Adults and children are also welcome to stop by at the Blood Drive to write letters to "MDA Heroes."