Last year, NYBC saw a nearly 20% drop in blood donations during the week of Thanksgiving alone
NEW YORK – New York Blood Center (NYBC) is calling on New Yorkers to help support the region’s blood supply by donating blood this Thanksgiving. All who come to donate between Sunday, November 24th and Sunday, December 1st will receive a festive long-sleeve t-shirt as a gesture of appreciation this holiday season. This promotion is available at all of NYBC’s donor centers and community blood drive locations.
The holiday season is historically challenging for the blood supply, as school breaks, family vacations and holiday travel all contribute to making blood donation less of a priority. Hospitals and patients rely on a steady flow of volunteer donors, but recent years have been marked by chronic blood shortages nationwide. Last year, NYBC saw a nearly 20% drop in donations during the week of Thanksgiving alone and is calling on donors to help prevent a similar shortfall this year.
“The holiday season is a time for coming together and celebrating traditions with family and friends, but it also brings a critical need for blood donations across our region,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “We encourage all New Yorkers to make blood donation part of their Thanksgiving tradition, embracing the spirit of giving and spreading hope to those in need. NYBC is thankful for every donor for their lifesaving gift, not just this holiday season but all year round.”
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still support NYBC’s mission by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.