NEW YORK, NY –On the evening of July 8, the Empire State Building lit up bright red to shine a light—quite literally—on the urgent need for blood donations. To mark the premiere of SHOWTIME’s Dexter: Resurrection, Paramount and New York Blood Center (NYBC) joined cast members of the new series to remind New Yorkers of the lifesaving impact of blood donors.
Cast members Michael C. Hall, James Remar, David Zayas, Jack Alcott, and Kadia Saraf gathered alongside representatives of NYBC at the Empire State Building on the afternoon of July 8 for a ceremonial lighting ahead of the show’s premiere on July 11.
An Empire State Building representative delivered opening remarks, followed by Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Regional Operations at New York Blood Center, who emphasized the need for blood donations, especially during this critical time. “Thank you to Paramount and Dexter for inviting us to be part of this wonderfully twisted way to shine a light on something incredibly important: blood donation.”
The striking red lights symbolized both the iconic aesthetic of the Dexter series and the urgent need for blood donations during the summer, when donations drop and trauma cases increase.
“We like to say we’re in the business of saving lives—Dexter, not so much,” joked Mascolino in her address.“Together we are united and shining a monumental Empire State building red light on blood. The need for blood is not only at a critical shortage level–it’s killer important!”
In conjunction with the lighting, NYBC hosted a public blood drive on the 52nd floor of the Empire State Building on July 8. Donors lined up to give blood, helping sustain the supply during a time of especially heightened need.
Currently, blood types O-negative and O-positive are at critically low levels across the region, with just a 1-2-day supply on hand. NYBC continues to call on eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give—because while Dexter may be fictional, the need for blood is very real.
The summer months, known as “trauma season,” bring more accidents and trauma-related injuries, increasing emergency room visits and transfusion needs. At the same time, donations typically decline due to travel, school breaks, and holiday schedules. Summer has brought an expected decline in donations, but combined with increased trauma cases, the impact on the local blood supply has been severe.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Learn more.