New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency due to a significant decline in donations. The center has been relying on out-of-state blood supplies, which is not sustainable given the high demand from New York’s busy hospitals. Montefiore Nyack Hospital will host a blood drive with NYBC on June 20, 2025, in its Cafeteria Conference Room from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., where donors are encouraged to make appointments.
Currently, only 2% of New Yorkers donate blood, leaving the state short by nearly 390,000 donors needed to meet patient needs during summer when trauma cases rise and donations fall. To stabilize supply levels, NYBC requires an additional 5,000 donations soon.
The summer months are referred to as “trauma season” in healthcare due to increased injuries from activities like swimming and biking. This period sees more accidents requiring significant blood supplies that hospitals cannot stockpile due to their short shelf life.
Rockland County residents are urged to donate blood once per season or four times annually. A single unit of donated blood can be divided into components for various treatments including red cells for disorders like sickle cell disease, platelets for cancer treatment, and plasma for liver failure.
To participate in the upcoming drive at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be in good health. For more information on eligibility and donation types such as automated red cell procedures or platelet donations, visit nybc.org.
Montefiore Nyack Hospital provides acute care services and partners with educational institutions for clinical rotations. The New York Blood Center was established in 1964 with a mission encompassing research and training alongside providing high-quality blood products.
