New York Blood Center Seeks Donors After Nor'easter Cancels 1,000 Donations

NEW YORK — New York Blood Center is asking the public to donate blood this week after the weekend nor’easter led to canceled blood drives and the loss of about 1,000 donations across New York and New Jersey.

According to NYBC, donors also were unable to safely travel to give blood during the storm, adding to a month that is already falling short of local hospital needs.

September is on track to be NYBC’s most challenging month for blood collections this year, according to the organization, with nearly 2,700 fewer donations than needed to meet the needs of local hospitals. The storm added to that gap after a difficult summer for the blood supply, when NYBC experienced multiple periods of critically low inventory.

The approximately 1,000 donations lost over a few days represent blood hospitals were counting on to care for patients, according to NYBC. Because blood has a limited shelf life, hospitals rely on a steady stream of donations to keep supplies available when patients need them.

“Whenever severe weather hits our region, blood collection can stop almost immediately, but the need for blood at our hospitals does not,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Operations at New York Blood Center. “We always want our donors to put their safety first during a storm. Now that the weather has passed, we need those who are able to come out this week and help us recover what was lost.”

NYBC said blood is needed every day for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and other serious medical needs. The organization is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment this week at a donor center or community blood drive to help replenish the blood supply following the storm.

According to NYBC, some people who were previously ineligible may now qualify to donate because of recent updates to FDA guidance. Blood donors can give every 56 days. To make an appointment or review current eligibility guidelines, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.

The appeal comes as NYBC works to rebuild the region’s blood supply after the weather-related cancellations. The organization did not announce a deadline, but said it is asking donors to come out this week to help replace the lost donations and support local hospitals.