NEW YORK – New York Blood Center (NYBC) has joined blood centers across the country in an emergency plea for blood donors following a holiday season of low donor turnout and recent inclement winter weather.
The blood center has seen a 25 percent drop in donations in the last three weeks, resulting in 5,000 fewer donations, crippling the inventory that was expected to grow during National Blood Donor Month.
There currently has a one to two supply of types O-, O+, and B-, as well as a critical shortage of platelets.
The New York community is not alone; blood emergencies have been declared across the country, indicating that there is no national surplus of blood at this time. Additionally, a recent spike in seasonal illnesses across the region is preventing many from donating.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and up to six times a year. The Food and Drug Administration recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, click here or call 800.688.0900.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.
