'Blood Emergency' Declared In NY As Supplies Reach Critical Levels

NEW YORK — On Thursday, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) joined blood centers across the country in an emergency plea for blood donors following a holiday season of low donor turnout and the recent inclement winter weather.

The NYBC said its inventory has dropped dramatically due to lower donor turnout, attributed in part to the recent and predicted winter severe weather and a spike in seasonal illnesses. There is currently a 2-day supply with 1-2 days of types O-, O+, B-, and platelets, according to officials

The NYBC has seen a 25 percent drop in donations in the last three weeks, resulting in 5000 fewer donations, crippling the inventory that had been expected to grow during National Blood Donor Month.

The New York community is not alone in dealing with the crisis. Blood emergencies have been declared across the country, a sign that there is not a critically needed national surplus of blood.

"In the midst of the nationwide blood emergency, and in the wake of recent winter storms that have impacted our region, we are calling on eligible New Yorkers to make an immediate blood or platelet donation," New York Blood Center VP Andrea Cefarelli said. "After a year of rebounding donations, the recent severe drop in inventory is a stark reminder of the fragility of our nation’s blood supply. This National Blood Donor Month, blood donors are needed more than ever to ensure hospital patients in our community get the lifesaving treatment they need."

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and up to six times a year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, click here or call 1-800-688-0900. To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit the NYBC website. For those who can’t donate blood, they can still support NYBC’s mission by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.