Blood Emergency Declared By NY Blood Center

NEW YORK — Holiday travel plans and the lasting effects of COVID-19 have put blood supplies at a dangerously low level, sparking emergency measures.

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) announced a blood emergency today, following what it describes as an "alarming" drop in blood donations over the past 6 weeks. Blood Center officials said recent school spring breaks and holiday travel, coupled with a two-year period of almost no youth donations during the pandemic, contributed to the current crisis.

All blood types are low and type O is at just a 1-to-2-day level of reserve, according to health officials.

The shortage is especially concerning to public health authorities given the recent increases in COVID-19 rates, attributed to the highly contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 that has been spreading rapidly throughout New York. Last week, New York City’s COVID-19 transmission rate grew by a staggering 32 percent. Last Monday, the city raised its COVID-19 alert level to medium as cases surpassed a rate of 200 per 100,000 people in the five boroughs.

Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors to receive life-saving blood donations, but the recent spike in cases and spring break travel is causing growing uncertainty.

Donor participation has reached record lows at blood drives and donor centers, New York Blood Center officials report.

"Memorial Day marks the start of summer, when it becomes even more difficult to get donors in. We need more donations to prepare for this period but our supply is currently very low," New York Blood Center Director Andrea Cefarelli said. "We are asking New Yorkers to sign up and donate. One blood donation has the ability to save up to three lives. We highly encourage all who are able to donate today to help the New Yorkers who need it most."

It only takes one hour to donate and a single donation can save more than just a single life life. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, transplant recipients, surgery patients and chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia.

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