'Blood Emergency' In NYC As Supplies Run Low

New York City NY

08 June, 2021

4:08 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — A "blood emergency" is underway in New York City as supplies have dried up amid the coronavirus pandemic's lingering effects. New York Blood Center announced the emergency Tuesday when its blood stores dwindled to a three-day supply. And through a new campaign, it wants to remind New Yorkers that there are innumerable things to hurt worse than giving blood. "Things that hurt more than giving blood #52: biting into hot pizza," one campaign ad reads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by New York Blood Center (@newyorkbloodcenter) The pandemic drove down blood donations before — in December, the city's blood stores fell from its seven-day supply to three days. An assist from New York City's government helped fill the gap, but difficulties maintaining supply remained. Over the pandemic, the New York Blood Center saw virtually no youth first-time donors, 3,000 fewer blood drives and 100,000 city dwellers who haven't yet returned to donate, a release states. "As the region reopens, hospitalizations are going up and far outpacing the number of donations we are receiving," Andrea Cefarelli, the center's senior executive director for recruitment and marketing, said in a statement. Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visiting www.nybc.org.