'Blood Emergency' Prompts Blood Drives Around Port Washington

PORT WASHINGTON, 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 Port Washington:

5/31/2022

• Port Washington Library — 1 Library Drive, Port Washington
  • Until 8 p.m.
• Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore — 1001 Plandome Rd., Plandome
  • Until 7 p.m.

6/5/2022

• Village of East Hills — 209 Harbor Hill Rd., East Hills
  • From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6/8/2022

• The Community Synagogue — 160 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
  • From 4 to 8:30 p.m.

6/13/2022

• Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center — 300 Forest Drive, Greenvale
  • From 1 to 7 p.m.

6/23/2022

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