The American Red Cross says the blood supply is at its lowest point in four years for this time of year, and local blood drives are happening across Westchester, Rockland, and New York City.
At a Glance
The blood supply is facing a seasonal shortage in New York.
Local blood drives are scheduled throughout August.
Even a few additional donors at each drive can make a difference.
You don’t have to be a regular blood donor to help.
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If you’ve been a blood donor, or even if you haven’t, now is a good time to think about doing it. The American Red Cross says the blood supply is at its lowest point in four years for this time of year, and communities across Westchester, Rockland, and New York City are being asked to step up.
We often hear that blood is needed, and it may seem that we hear it a few weeks apart, and there’s a reason for that. Blood doesn’t keep. Red blood cells only last about 42 days, and platelets last even less, at just five days. So even though thousands of people have already donated since the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis back in late July, hospitals need a steady stream of new donors every single week to keep up with patients who need transfusions.
People who need the blood come from various medical situations, including cancer patients, accident victims, new moms with complications during childbirth, kids fighting illnesses that require regular transfusions, and many others.
On top of that, August is historically one of the toughest months for blood drives since families are traveling, kids are heading back to school, and parents are just busy. The good news is that the Red Cross says it only takes about three extra donors at each local blood drive to help stabilize the supply.
Where You Can Donate Blood
Blood donation drives are happening all over New York this month. Many of them are at local libraries, shopping malls, churches, or medical center parking lots.
Most healthy adults 17 and older (16 with parental consent in New York) who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate. As a small thank-you, anyone who donates between Aug. 1–31 gets a $20 Amazon gift card by email.
Here are some nearby options over the next few weeks:
Hawthorne: Aug. 12 (9 am–2 pm) and Aug. 27 (12–4 pm) at the Red Cross office on Saw Mill River Road
White Plains: Aug. 12, 11:30 am–4:30 pm at the Gateway Building
Scarsdale: Aug. 20, 1–5 pm at the American Legion Hall
Valhalla: Aug. 20, 11:30 am–4:30 pm at Westchester Medical Center
New Rochelle — Aug. 26, 11:30 am–4 pm
Nyack: Aug. 15, 10 am–2 pm at Living Christ Church
Spring Valley: Aug. 14, 10:30 am–3 pm at Finkelstein Memorial Library
West Nyack: Aug. 19, 12:30–4:30 pm at Palisades Center (easy one if you’re already heading there to shop)
Manhattan — Aug. 26, 12–5 pm at 520 West 49th St.
There are also drives in Elmsford, Larchmont, Mt. Vernon, and Shrub Oak later this month. Check out the full schedule, which is searchable by zip code on RedCrossBlood.org.
Can’t Donate Yourself? You Can Still Help.
Not everyone is eligible to give blood, whether due to health reasons, age, or other factors, but you can help spread the word to a friend, sibling, neighbor, or coworker who is eligible.
To book a spot, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can also use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
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