NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The New York Blood Center warned that the city’s supply of some life-saving blood types could run out as soon as Tuesday as it declared the first blood emergency of 2023.
The shortage could be due to several factors including recent poor weather, school breaks, and cold and flu season, blood center representatives said. During the winter months, blood supplies in the city tend to dwindle.
According to the blood center, its banks only have one to two days left of Type O Negative blood, as well as the B2 subtype. All other blood types have a two to three-day supply left.
Last month, the center saw 6,000 fewer blood donations than the previous year. Blood donations are currently 12% below the needs of hospitals and patients.
The number of donations is not back to pre-pandemic levels, especially for first-time and youth donors.
“We need more New Yorkers to make blood donations, host blood drives and spread the word about the need for donations,” Adrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New York Blood Center said in a statement.
The demand for platelet donors is equally critical, as the shelf life of the platelets is only seven days.
Platelet donors “help patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with bleeding disorders, new mothers, and more,” a NYBC release stated.
For more information about making a blood donation, including eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800-868-0900.
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