Bayside Blood Drive Will Give Free Mets Tickets To Donors

BAYSIDE, QUEENS -- Your blood donation can help save lives - and now it can earn you free Mets baseball tickets in the process.

New York Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside) will host his sixth annual summer blood drive in Bayside on Aug. 9, and each donor will leave with a voucher for two tickets to see the New York Mets play at Citi Field, the local politician said Friday.

"Each blood donation helps to save up to three lives," Braunstein said. "A blood shortage emergency has been declared in New York and our hospitals are in need of your assistance."

The blood drive will be at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center at 212th Street and 26th Avenue from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m.

In addition to the free baseball tickets, the first 100 people to donate a pint of blood will take home a certificate for a free pint of soup from Ben's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers as part of the Midtown Manhattan deli's "Pint for a Pint" program, Braunstein said.

Braunstein said his office has also partnered up with Stop & Shop of Bay Terrace to serve free refreshments during the blood drive.

Volunteers must be between 16 and 75 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have not been tattooed in the last year. Eligible donors must bring a donor card or photo ID to the drive and are encouraged to eat will and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

For more information on the drive, contact Braunstein's office via email or at 1-800-688-0900.

Lead photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images