'Blood Emergency' Prompts Blood Drives Around Mineola

MINEOLA, NY — Holiday travel plans and the lasting effects of COVID-19 have put blood supplies at a dangerously low level, prompting the New York Blood Center to announce a "blood emergency."

The New Hyde Park-based organization announced the blood emergency this month, following what it describes as an "alarming" drop in blood donations over the last weeks. Blood Center officials said recent school spring breaks and holiday travel, coupled with a two-year period of almost no youth donations during the pandemic, contributed to the current crisis.

All blood types are low and type O is at just a one-to-two-day level of reserve, according to health officials.

Andrea Cefarelli, senior executive director at NYBC, said one blood donation can save up to three lives and encouraged all who are able to donate as soon as possible.

Multiple NYCB drives will be held across Long Island in the coming days. Here are some in and around Mineola:

6/2/2022

• Lake Success Donor Center — 2500 Marcus Ave., North New Hyde Park
  • Multiple dates starting June 2

6/4/2022

• Garden City Cross Fit — 180 E. 2nd St., Mineola
  • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

6/6/2022

• Herricks Blood Drive — 999 Herricks Rd., New Hyde Park
  • From 3:30 to 8 p.m.
• Mineola Memorial Library — 195 Marcellus Rd., Mineola
  • From 1 to 7 p.m.

6/9/2022

• Hillside Public Library — 155 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park
  • From 1 to 7 p.m.

6/16/2022

• Northwell Health I-Park — 450 Lakeville Rd., Lake Success
  • From 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

6/22/2022

• Nassau County Police Headquarters — 1490 Franklin Ave., Mineola
  • From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6/23/2022

• St. Francis Hospital — 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn
  • From 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

6/27/2022

• New Hyde Park Fire Department — 1555 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park
  • From 2 to 8 p.m.