NY Mets And NY Blood Center Team Up To Encourage Blood Donations

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — America's favorite pastime is helping to potentially save lives and loading baseball fans up with merchandise and free tickets in the process.

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) is teaming up with the New York Mets to urge New Yorkers to give blood by offering a NY Mets t-shirt to donors up until Sunday, July 9. In addition, all platelet and double red cell donors will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a select 2023 NY Mets home game. These promotions will be available at any of the NYBC’s 19 donor centers.

The NY Mets have been a long-time partner of the NYBC, hosting blood drives several times a year and encouraging blood donations during some of the most critical times for the blood supply. The Mets recently hosted their summer blood drive at the Piazza Club at Citi Field, where they collected 713 blood donations, bringing the organization's total blood donations to more than 15,000.

The summer months have historically been difficult for the blood supply, especially around the 4th of July holiday weekend, when school breaks and travel plans make blood donation less of a priority. Additionally, the COVID-19 health crisis caused a loss of blood donations, including 20,000 fewer donations from high school and youth donors each year. Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of donors to receive life-saving blood products, but blood donations have still not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

"We are so grateful to the New York Mets for always stepping up to the plate to host blood drives and encourage blood donations, especially during the summer months, which are a critical time for the blood supply," Andrea Cefarelli, Senior VP at the NYBC, said. "We’re calling on all eligible New Yorkers, especially our youth donors, to come out and support the home team by donating blood and giving the gift of life this week."

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The FDA recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain time periods. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit the NYBC website or call 1-800-688-0900.

To make an appointment at a donor center near you, you can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit this link. If you are unable to donate blood, you can still support the NYBC’s mission by texting 'NYBC' to '20222' to donate $25.