Blood Drives Set For Huntington, Westbury Amid Emergency Supply Shortage

HUNTINGTON, NY — New York Blood Center is hosting two Long Island blood drives this week in response to a blood emergency declared in late May.

The blood drives are scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the Main Room at The Paramount, located at 370 New York Ave. in Huntington, and Thursday, June 11, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, located at 960 Brush Hollow Road in Westbury.

The drives were organized after NYBC declared a blood emergency on May 26, with donations dropping to critically low levels after Memorial Day weekend, organizers said.

All donors will receive two complimentary tickets to a future New York Mets game, courtesy of NYBC, which will be emailed after the blood drive, according to organizers. Donors will also be eligible to purchase tickets at the box office at reduced prices, as well as special $35 all-in tickets to select upcoming shows.

NYBC said the need is especially urgent as the region enters the summer “trauma season,” when hospitals typically see an increase in serious injuries, including car crashes and other emergencies that may require large volumes of blood.

All blood types are needed, but NYBC said types A-negative, B-negative, O-positive and O-negative have reached dangerously low levels in the region.

The summer season also marks the start of NYBC’s “Be the Reason Summer Feels Brighter” initiative, which is focused on maintaining a stable blood supply during the summer months.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, while platelet donors can give twice per month, NYBC said. Recent updates to FDA guidance mean more people may now be eligible to donate.

To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.