MTA To Hold Blood Drive Inside Grand Central Terminal

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The MTA will hold a blood drive Thursday in Grand Central Terminal and is offering rewards to commuters willing to take the time to donate, the transit agency announced.

The first 250 people to donate blood Thursday will receive a pair of tickets to a New York Yankees game this spring, the MTA announced. The blood drive will be set up in Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., the transit agency said in a press release.

This will be the sixth straight year that a blood drive will be held in Grand Central Terminal, MTA officials said. The MTA in partnering with the New York Blood Center to organize the donation event.

"Donating blood is a simple way to make a profound difference, and Metro-North Railroad is proud to be part of this important effort," Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi said in a statement "340 people donated blood at last year’s drive at Grand Central Terminal, and we join the New York Blood Center in thanking our commuters and employees for their generosity and compassion. We hope even more people will take the time to give this year."

Blood donors will receive free mini-medical exams on site that detail information such as temperature, blood pressure and iron level, MTA officials said. Juice and cookies will also be provided to donors, but people are advised to eat and drink before donating.

Donors must be at least 16 years old (with parental consent for minors), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and meet New York and New Jersey criteria for blood donations, MTA officials said. Donors are asked to bring photo identification to the blood drive.

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