Event Details
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. In New York, where hospitals continue to face a critical blood shortage, that need is not abstract; it is a child in treatment, a trauma patient in surgery, a neighbor whose survival depends on strangers showing up in time.
Rodney Artis, who was recently honored by the New York Blood Center with its “You Mean the World to Us” award, is spearheading the next Astoria Community Blood Drive on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 8:45 am to 2:45 pm, at Advance Masonic Temple at 21-14 30th Avenue in Astoria. The drive is being hosted by Advance Lodge No. 586 in partnership with the New York Blood Center. A single blood donation takes less than an hour and can save up to three lives.
“This recognition is meaningful, but the real mission is getting people through the door to donate,” said Rodney Artis. “Right now, New York still needs blood. This is one of the simplest, most powerful ways people in Astoria can help save lives in our own community.”
How to Register: Visit nybc.org/sponsor and enter sponsor code: 10691 and select your preferred appointment time.
Donor Eligibility: Age 17+; age 16 with consent; minimum weight: 110 lbs; must feel healthy; bring valid ID.
Preparation Tips: Hydrate well, eat before donating, get a good night’s sleep.
Organizers strongly encourage appointments, but the broader message is simple: if you are able to give, now is the time.