New York Blood Center (NYBC) will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, November 29th, from 12pm to 6pm at the Sachem Public Library. The blood drive will celebrate the library’s 1,000th blood donation since they began hosting blood drives with NYBC 22 years ago. This milestone highlights the significant impact of the longstanding partnership with NYBC, the library’s efforts to engage blood donors in the community and their commitment to maintaining a robust blood supply for those in need. NYBC will award a certificate to the library to honor this special achievement.

All who come to donate between Sunday, November 24^th and Sunday, December 1^st 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 nineteen area 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 nearly a 25% drop in donations during the week of Thanksgiving alone. NYBC is calling on eligible blood donors to make an appointment at a nearby blood drive or donor center to help prevent a similar shortfall this year.

"The Sachem Public Library has once again shown its dedication to our community, partnering with the New York Blood Center to save lives and make a difference,” said Assemblyman Doug Smith. “Reaching the milestone of 1,000 blood donations is a testament to the generosity of our residents and the Library’s unwavering support for this vital cause. Thank you for bringing us together to give the gift of life and strengthening the bonds that make our community so special."

“Sachem Public Library’s 22 years of support have been instrumental in maintaining our region’s blood supply, and we are deeply grateful to have them as a community partner,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “We encourage all members of the Holbrook community to make an appointment for this blood drive, especially as the holiday season brings an urgent need for blood donations across our region.”

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. 

WHEN: November 29th, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Rd, Holbrook, NY 11741

WHO: Blood Donors, Volunteers, Sachelm Public Library Representatives, and New York Blood Center Representatives

WHY: It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.

To make an appointment for this drive, 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.