By Scott Etkin
There are several blood donation events happening across the Upper West Side in the coming weeks, giving community members the chance to help fill a dangerous gap in the state’s blood supply.
The New York Blood Center, a nonprofit, last week announced a “blood emergency” in the state because there is “less than a 1–2 day supply of critical blood types across the region.”
The demand for blood tends to increase in the late spring and summer, when there are usually more injuries from accidents resulting in trips to the emergency room. Approximately 25% of all trauma patients require blood transfusions.
Over the same period, unfortunately, fewer blood donations tend to be made due to “summer vacations, holidays, and school breaks,” a representative from New York Blood Center wrote in a message to West Side Rag.
Currently 2% of New Yorkers donate blood, but this number would have to increase to 4% to reliably meet patient needs, according to the Blood Center.
Throughout June and July, eight donation events are being hosted by Upper West Side businesses, religious groups, and cultural institutions, listed below. Appointments to donate blood at these events can be made by visiting the NY Blood Center’s website at the link – HERE.
June 12 & 13 | NYC Parks Department
24 West 61st Street
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
June 21 | West End Collegiate Church
245 West 77th Street
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
June 22 | Congregation Ohab Zedek
118 West 95th Street
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
June 23 | Interchurch Center
475 Riverside Drive (between West 119th and 120th streets)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
June 25 | B’nai Jeshurun
257 West 88th Street
3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
July 13 | Congregation Ansche Chesed
251 West 100th Street
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
July 16 | Amity Hall Uptown
982 Amsterdam Ave. (between West 108th and 109th streets)
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m
July 21 | Lincoln Center (David Rubenstein Atrium)
1887 Broadway (between West 62nd and 63rd streets)
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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just a misc suggestion: Could WSR (and, well, just about everyone else…) get into the habit of putting the Day of the Week in stories like this? How many people, for example, looking at the June 23 date for Interchurch Center would know it’s on Monday almost two weeks from now?
i stopped donating when they stopped giving the different color cards.
They still give color cards for 1, 5, and 10 gallon donors!
I’ve been a regular donor for years. Not anymore. I’m so fed up with NYBC, I will never be a part of their operation again. They’re rude, they don’t have any consideration for the donors past the nose on their face. The workers are indifferent to you, even though you’re there to donate blood. I’ve sent complaint after complaint, even spoke with them on the phone. They change nothing about their attitude or their indifference. Too bad, my blood is universal, and now they have no access to it, all because of them.
I gave platelets at the West 35th St location yesterday. Not only was it easy to get an appointment, the staff were wonderful and there were bonus treats (a box of Girl Scout cookies at the end!) that added up to a wonderful experience.
I’ve had many positive experiences. But too many negative ones to justify ever dealing with them again.
Try Sloan Kettering to donate blood (MSK)
I have donated there also.
You need to have an appointment.
This is a great idea, thank you!
I am sorry that NYBC’s bad/indifferent behavior angers you so, to the point that you will not help your fellow man. This post has reminded me how lax I have been in my donations to NYBC. Cold, indifferent treatment? Welcome to half of New York. Some days are better than others.
I helped my fellow man, many many times. I wished to continue helping. They’ve made it impossible for me.
Try a different location?
I used several different locations. Each time I donated was a new locale depending on their availability. Some repeats.
That’s a shame. I donated when I was younger but I no longer fit the criteria. If I remember correctly it was always a Red Cross blood drive. It’s interesting to read all the different takes on this.
FYI it doesn’t look like any of these temp locations are bookable via the link, but thanks for this public service announcement.
RFK Jr said giving blood is not safe prove him wrong.
No he needs to prove himself right. To all the millions of people who’ve given blood successfully in the past .
Then do it today.
Not sure where all this hate for NYBC is coming from…I’ve had great experiences every time I’ve donated with them, and am now a regular donor. Sure, maybe a worker here and there is a bit more gruff, but that’s just New York for you, in my opinion. The workers at the W35th St Donor Center are all great, I look forward to seeing them every 8 weeks.
Agree.
I go to 67th street.
They are polite and competent and follow their procedures.
Their website needs to be updated, it still talks about Covid restrictions, I absolutely hate any and all mention of Covid restrictions, Hard pass.