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blood shortage

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New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations following a holiday season of alarmingly low donor turnout. NYBC has seen a nearly 30% drop in donations in recent weeks which has resulted in 6,500 fewer donations and crippled the region’s blood supply. Donations of all blood types are urgently needed – especially Types O- and B-, which are down to dangerously low 1-3-day supply.

Blood donations typically decrease during the holiday season, but January poses additional challenges: inclement weather causing blood drive cancellations, flu, COVID, and RSV reducing donor eligibility, and schools and workplaces hosting fewer drives during holiday breaks. These factors have strained an already fragile blood supply, which is critical for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, and managing chronic illnesses. Hospitals and patients depend on a steady stream of volunteer donors, yet the past few years have seen persistent, nationwide blood shortages.

“The months following the holiday season are always a difficult time for the blood supply, with an increase in seasonal illness and inclement winter weather impacting donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “The drop in donations serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of our nation’s blood supply. We’re urging all eligible New Yorkers to start the new year by saving lives – schedule a donation today and bring a friend to double the impact!”

“New York State is facing a critical blood shortage, and the need for donors has never been more urgent. A blood donation helps patients undergoing surgeries, trauma care and treatments for chronic illnesses,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Please roll up your sleeve and help your community during this blood emergency—your donation can save lives.”

“As the largest healthcare provider in the State of New York, Northwell Health is deeply grateful to partner with New York Blood Center to support the urgent needs of the blood emergency,” James Martone, Assistant Vice President, Clinical Laboratory Operations, Transfusion Medicine, Northwell Health Laboratories. “We thank and encourage all community blood donors to roll up their sleeves to meet our patients’ transfusion needs now and throughout the year. Countless lives are saved thanks to the selfless generosity of these individuals.”

January is National Blood Donor Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and recognize the lifesaving impact of voluntary blood donors. Proclaimed by President Richard Nixon in January 1970, this annual observance remains vital to raising awareness and strengthening the blood supply during a critical time of year.

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. Click here to learn more.

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Members of the Sound Beach Fire Department, like Captain Greg Ferraro, give blood in memory of one of their own. Photo by Julianne Mosher

Almost five years after his death, an ex-captain of the Sound Beach Fire Department’s memory is still helping to save others. 

Jim Ford passed away on June 2016 after serving in the department for more than two decades. A beloved member of not only the department, but also within the Sound Beach community, Ford always was there to help. His wife, Nancy, still participates and volunteers with the auxiliary.

“Jim filled many shoes out of the office and in the office,” said Bill Rosasco, first assistant chief. “He loved it. He loved doing it. He loved being here at the firehouse.”

On top of his many roles, he founded and ran the department’s January blood drive, so it was only fitting to name it after him in 2018 — the first drive after his passing.

And on Saturday, Jan. 16, his memory was brought back at the firehouse at 152 Sound Beach Blvd., getting people together for something good. 

Ever since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, blood donations have been at an all-time low, according to the New York Blood Center. Schools, businesses and community centers halted blood drives early on, in fear of too many gatherings and the uneasiness of the virus. 

Sound Beach Fire Departmen’ts ex-captain, Jim Ford, who passed away nearly five years ago, is still making an impact at the fire house with an annual blood drive in his name. Photo from Stefanie Handshaw

The Sound Beach Fire Department usually hosts two blood drives in honor of their own. January is dedicated to Ford, while July memorializes Ex-Capt. John Drews Jr. But because of the pandemic, the July drive was canceled. 

The drive this past weekend was the first since the pandemic began.

“We wanted to still run this blood drive,” said Chief Darran Handshaw. “Even though we shut the department down for all the other meetings, we still wanted to do this because we know how important it is.”

Handshaw said that everyone on the board wanted to make sure the January drive went on, despite the department shutdown. 

“This is an emergency,” he added. “We need to get blood out there.”

He said that to make this month’s blood drive work, they took precautions including temperature monitoring, social distancing and a fogger machine that can decontaminate the room before the event and after. 

But the drive wouldn’t be happening without Ford’s spirit. 

“This would be something that Captain Ford would be here helping out with, even during [the pandemic],” Handshaw said. “It’s an honorable effort for an honorable man, so we’re going to do something honorable that serves the community for him and his death.”

Saturday’s event had more than 20 appointments, a dozen walk-ins and 31 pints of blood were collected, according to Margaret DeTurris, president of the department. Each pint of blood can help up to three people — so these 31 pints will impact 93 lives. 

“Jim was a great example  of wisdom and honor,” Handshaw said. “In my eyes, that inspired a lot of us to behave well and do the right thing for the community. He’s missed every day.” 

The Sound Beach Fire Department is actively seeking volunteers to serve as firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The department provides free training for those positions. To join contact the chief’s office at 631-744-2294.

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