New York Blood Center (NYBC) today announces a blood shortage in the region, one year after New York was the epicenter of the pandemic. Before COVID-19, donors could stop by community blood drives at convenient locations like high schools, colleges, and offices. It has been one year since these groups had to cancel their blood drives due to COVID-19 and few have been able to resume these life-saving events.

NYBC currently has a 4 day supply of blood, which is well below what is needed by area hospitals. New York’s healthcare system requires 1,500 donations each day to treat patients ranging from trauma victims to newborn babies and their mothers to cancer patients. Donors with type O and type B blood are especially needed as NYBC currently has a 1-2 day supply of
these blood types.

“With thousands of New Yorkers getting vaccinated each day, we are thrilled to watch our state recover from this catastrophic year,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director at New York Blood Center. “As New York bounces back in strides this spring, we need everyone to make an appointment and donate blood to help save lives. While the end of the pandemic is near,
our struggle to fight for those in need continues.”