Columbia University has hosted blood drives with NYBC for over 30 years
On Friday, October 24th, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) hosted a blood drive at Columbia University to celebrate the University surpassing a remarkable 20,000 blood donations and more than thirty years of dedicated partnership in ensuring the stability of New York City’s blood supply. Over the years, the University has hosted more than 10 campus blood drives a year, inspiring generations of students, faculty, and staff to give back to their community. From 1999 to 2024, Columbia University has hosted 434 blood drives, collected 23,097 units of blood, and positively impacted the lives of more than 69,000 individuals.
This significant milestone was celebrated with an award presentation recognizing the Columbia University community’s leadership and commitment to saving lives, as well as the contributions of Junior M. Benjamin, longstanding campaign chairperson, Director of Community Outreach, and Human Resources Manager at the University, whose ongoing efforts have ensured the continued success of each University blood drive.
The NY tri-state region is currently facing a significant blood shortage that is uncommon this time of year. NYBC currently has a 1-day supply of types O- and O+ blood, the blood types most often used in emergency and trauma care. Overall inventory has fallen to a 2–3-day supply, well below the 5-7-day level needed to support hospitals across the tri-state area. Overall, October donations are down 11%, averaging 1,000 fewer donations each week. Such shortages are highly unusual for the fall, when donations typically rebound after summer. This year, however, donor turnout has lagged while hospital demand remains high.
“Columbia University has been an exceptional partner to NYBC, raising awareness, mobilizing young donors, and playing an essential role in meeting the region’s critical need for blood, especially during challenging times,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Chief Operating Officer, Blood and Laboratory Operations, NYBCe. “We are grateful to Columbia’s leadership and all of the generous donors who continue to show up at our blood drives, helping safeguard the health of patients across the region.”
Columbia University has been the recipient of several NYBC honors, including a 2013-2018 “Platinum Award”, a 2017 “You Mean the World to Us” Award presented to Junior M. Benjamin for his above-and-beyond dedication as a blood drive Chairperson, and the inaugural 2024 “Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award” for bringing awareness to the need for diverse blood donors. The award coincides with Black History Month and is named in honor of Charles R. Drew, MD, MSD, a pioneer in blood banking and transfusion medicine. Dr. Drew received a doctor of medical science degree in 1940 from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (then known as the College of Physicians and Surgeons). He was the first Black researcher to earn this degree in the United States.
“Columbia University is proud be a long-time New York Blood Center partner in its efforts to support the stability of New York City’s blood supply. For our Columbia community, blood donation is a tangible and meaningful way to show up for our fellow New Yorkers,” said Virginia Lam Abrams, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Columbia University. “Reaching the 20,000 blood donations milestone is significant and demonstrates the selfless generosity of our community of faculty, staff, and students, who, every year, show up, roll up their sleeves, and donate blood. This award belongs to every blood drive volunteer, donor, and partner who helped us reach this incredible milestone. Thank you to the New York Blood Center for your partnership and all that you do for New Yorkers.”