Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined the ribbon-cutting for NYBC’s first ever donor center in the Bronx, establishing a permanent presence in all five boroughs of New York City.
On Wednesday, February 25th, New York Blood Center (NYBC) celebrated the grand opening of its new Bronx Donor Center at 815 Hutchinson River Parkway in Throggs Neck. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, local officials, and healthcare leaders joined NYBC for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the organization’s new permanent presence in the borough.
The new center is NYBC’s 21st donor center in the tri-state area and its first in the Bronx, establishing a permanent NYBC presence in all five boroughs of New York City. The opening comes at a critical time: blood donations in the Bronx have declined by nearly 40% in recent years, while local hospital demand continues to outpace community donations. The new donor center is designed to make blood donation more convenient for residents and help reach new, diverse, and younger donors to strengthen the long-term stability of the local blood supply.
In honor of Black History Month, NYBC presented Borough President Gibson with the Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award, recognizing her leadership and commitment to strengthening a diverse blood supply and advancing community health. The award is named for Dr. Charles Richard Drew, the father of modern blood banking and the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University. His groundbreaking work during World War II laid the foundation for today’s blood banking system.
“The opening of the Blood Center in Throggs Neck is a project years in the making and the result of advocacy to ensure our residents have access to critical blood donation services and emergency support in their own community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. As we face a drop in donations, it is essential that we all play a role in diversifying our blood supply and ensuring Bronx residents have access to lifesaving resources when and where they need them most. I want to thank New York Blood Center and the dedicated advocates and community partners who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. This center represents an investment in our healthcare infrastructure and the well-being of our borough.”
“New York Blood Center is proud to serve New York City and its surrounding regions – now with more than 20 donor centers and a permanent location in each of the five boroughs,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President, Blood Operations at New York Blood Center. “We’d like to extend our utmost gratitude to the Bronx Borough President for her continued partnership in making this new donor center a reality amid a concerning decline in blood donations throughout the borough. We encourage all Bronxites to come make an appointment to check it out today!”
“We are thrilled that New York Blood Center selected Simone Development’s Throggs Neck Shopping Center for its Bronx donor center, adding a critical service to the surrounding communities and the renowned healthcare institutions nearby,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “New York Blood Center is a great addition to the dynamic mix of specialized medical providers, service-oriented retail, and top national, regional, and local shops and restaurants at this retail destination.”
