The New York Blood Center on Friday urged Brooklyn residents to donate blood after declaring a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations following a holiday season of alarmingly low donor turnout.
NYBC saw a nearly 30% drop in donations in recent weeks, which resulted in 6,500 fewer donations and crippled the region’s blood supply. Donations of all blood types are urgently needed – especially Types O- and B-, which are down to dangerously low one- to three-day supply, according to a press release.
Blood donations typically decrease during the holiday season, but January poses additional challenges: inclement weather causing blood drive cancellations, flu, COVID and RSV reducing donor eligibility, and schools and workplaces hosting fewer drives during holiday breaks. These factors have strained an already fragile blood supply, which is critical for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments and managing chronic illnesses, according to the organiztion.
“The months following the holiday season are always a difficult time for the blood supply, with an increase in seasonal illness and inclement winter weather impacting donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New York Blood Center. “The drop in donations serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of our nation’s blood supply. We’re urging all eligible New Yorkers to start the new year by saving lives."
There are several blood drives in Brooklyn starting this weekend:
Sunday, Jan. 26
11:00am - 5:00pm at the Knights of Columbus #126, 3051 Nostrand Ave.
Monday, Jan. 27
12:00pm - 6:00pm at SUNY Downstate, 394 Lenox Rd.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
10:00am - 4:00pm at Highway Patrol Unit 2, 2900 Flatbush Ave.
12:00pm - 6:00pm at SUNY Downstate, 394 Lenox Rd.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
1:00pm - 7:00pm at El Puente, 311 Central Ave.
Thursday, Jan. 30
12:00pm - 6:00pm at Starbucks, 9202 3rd Ave.
Friday, Jan. 21
1:00pm - 7:00pm at NYPD 73rd Precinct, 1470 East New York Ave.
Sunday, Feb. 2
9:00am - 3:00pm at Our Lady of Grace, 409 Avenue W
Tuesday, Feb. 4
1:00pm - 7:00pm at NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn, 2601 Ocean Parkway
3:00pm - 9:00pm at Pratt Institute (Willoughby Hall), 215 Willoughby Ave.
The Brooklyn Donor Center, at 30 Flatbush Avenue Extension, is open on Tuesday through Saturday. Hours vary each day, click here for more information.
