New York Blood Center (NYBC) is calling on New Yorkers to help support the region’s blood supply by donating blood this Thanksgiving. All who come to donate between Sunday, November 24th and Sunday, December 1st will receive a festive long-sleeve t-shirt as a gesture of appreciation this holiday season. This promotion is available at all of NYBC’s donor centers and community blood drive locations.
The holiday season is historically challenging for the blood supply, as school breaks, family vacations and holiday travel all contribute to making blood donation less of a priority. Hospitals and patients rely on a steady flow of volunteer donors, but recent years have been marked by chronic blood shortages nationwide. Last year, NYBC saw a nearly 20% drop in donations during the week of Thanksgiving alone and is calling on donors to help prevent a similar shortfall this year.
“The holiday season is a time for coming together and celebrating traditions with family and friends, but it also brings a critical need for blood donations across our region,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “We encourage all New Yorkers to make blood donation part of their Thanksgiving tradition, embracing the spirit of giving and spreading hope to those in need. NYBC is thankful for every donor for their lifesaving gift, not just this holiday season but all year round.”
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still support NYBC’s mission by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.
About New York Blood Center
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biomedical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.