New York City and New York State Health Departments Urge New Yorkers To Give Blood Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

New York City and New York State Health Departments Urge New Yorkers To Give Blood Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

New York Health Commissioners Join New Yorkers in Donating Blood as Summer Shortages Highlight Ongoing Need for Blood Donations

August 27, 2026 - The New York City Health Department and New York State Department of Health today joined together and hosted a press event at the New York Blood Center urging eligible New Yorkers to donate blood ahead of Labor Day weekend.

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin and New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald donated blood at the event, showing the importance of making blood donation a regular part of community health.

"Blood donation is a simple act of kindness that has the power to save lives. In a city as vibrant and diverse as New York, the need for blood is constant and urgent," NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said. "The national blood shortage has made it even more critical for New Yorkers to step up and donate. As an ER doctor, I have seen firsthand how essential it is for a hospital to have the resources to treat trauma victims, cancer patients, and those undergoing surgeries each day. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. By donating blood, we can come together to support our community and address this need."

"Someday could be today, tomorrow, or never, yet someday you might need blood," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Every day, patients - which could be you - depend on donated blood for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, childbirth and other critical medical needs. Only 1 in 50 New Yorkers donate blood and we are not keeping up with demand. If you have never donated blood, plan to do it at least once. If you have donated before, thank you, and know that giving again, like I am doing, is literally giving life to another."

This summer, the New York Blood Center declared two blood emergencies after donations dropped to their lowest levels since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regular blood and plasma donations are essential to maintaining a safe and sustainable supply. Donations support people living with conditions including sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hemophilia, and immune deficiency; people undergoing treatment for cancer; and people requiring emergency and surgical care.

As New Yorkers prepare for Labor Day weekend, rebuilding and maintaining the blood supply is critical because there is typically a decline in donations during holiday weekends. Blood donations also decline during back-to-school season.

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood or platelets every two seconds. Type O blood is among the blood types most often requested by hospitals. Because donated red blood cells must generally be used within 42 days, the need for donations is constant and supplies do not always keep pace with demand.

New Yorkers can find nearby locations to donate blood by visiting the American Red Cross website, the New York Blood Center website, or the ConnectLife Blood and Organ Donor Network.

New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations for blood donor qualifications can be found here.

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