NYC Is Almost Out Of Blood: Donor Center

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's supply of some life-saving blood types could reach their last drops in as soon as one day, a prominent donation center warned Monday.

The city is under its first "blood emergency" of 2023 declared the New York Blood Center.

The blood center's banks only have one to two days left of Type O Negative blood, as well as the B2 subtype, according to the blood center. All other types have a two- to three-day supply left.

"We need more New Yorkers to make blood donations, host blood drives and spread the word about the need for donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New York Blood Center, in a statement.

Blood supplies in the city often dwindle during the winter months.

This particular blood emergency stems from several factors, from recent poor weather to school breaks to the dawn of cold and flu season, blood center representatives said.

New York Blood Center and its nationwide divisions received 6,000 fewer blood donations in February than the year before, representatives said. Those donations are 12 percent below what hospitals and patients need, they said.

And the coronavirus is still affecting donations — the blood center still hasn't seen first-time and youth donors return to pre-pandemic levels, representatives said.

Platelet donors are also urgently needed, according to the blood center.

"With a shelf life of just 7 days, NYBC relies on dedicated platelet donors to help patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with bleeding disorders, new mothers, and more," a blood center release states.

People can find out more about making blood donation, including eligibility guidelines, by visiting nybc.org or calling 800-688-0900.