New York Blood Center Shares The Increasing Need For Blood Donors Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic

Poster reading America's Blood Supply Crisis. Can you Help? Make your appointment to donate blood and save lives, then challenge a plus one to join you.

NEW YORK — New York Blood Center (NYBC) and The Dr. Oz Show today launched the #JUSTMYTYPE Challenge with the goal of increasing blood donations by asking donors to invite someone to be their “plus one” as they donate together. There has been a chronic nationwide blood shortage throughout the pandemic and The Dr. Oz Show is helping NYBC get the word out and encourage more people to donate blood.

Before COVID-19, mobile blood drives hosted by high schools, colleges, businesses and other organizations made up about 75% of the region’s incoming blood supply, but the number of blood drives has dropped by two-thirds this year due to the pandemic. Hospital needs are well above pre-pandemic levels while donations continue to lag behind and never reach the ideal level of 5-7 days. New York Blood Center is in need of all blood types and encourages first time donors to sign up to make an appointment.

“Thank you to The Dr. Oz Show for your support. Donating blood can be an incredible way to unite communities and the #JUSTMYTYPE CHALLENGE is just what we need to inspire donors to get more people to make a life-saving donation,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director at New York Blood Center. “The holiday season is always a difficult time to get donors into our centers as folks leave town and go on vacation, but we need to focus on what this time is about: giving. Make a donation today!”

​​Donating blood is safe and it only takes one hour. We are taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. NYBC staff are also practicing health self-assessments prior to presenting at work. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. Visit for additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions.

Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visiting nybc.org.

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