'Blood Emergency' Prompts Blood Drive In Bayside This Week

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — New York City is facing a "blood emergency," which Baysiders have a chance to address this week at a neighborhood blood drive.

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) is hosting a blood drive at Bayside's Adria Hotel and Conference Center, located at 221-17 Northern Boulevard, from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5th.

News of the event comes shortly after NYBC announced a local "blood emergency," as the region's blood supply dropped to a one to two day level; ideally the blood center should have a week's inventory on hand.

Giving blood is usually "less of a priority" during the winter travel and flu-seasons, said NYBC senior executive director Andrea Cefarelli, but NYC's omicron variant-induced coronavirus spike has made the situation "especially dire" this year.

This isn't the first blood emergency that the city's faced in recent months: In March NYBC also declared a blood emergency, when some blood types dropped to one or two day supplies as people were wary of giving blood amid the pandemic.

NYBC, however, said it is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at its events, noting that donating blood only takes one hour.

And, to sweeten the deal, donors who give this week in Bayside will receive a $10 e-gift card.

To donate this week in Bayside sign up online using code 70800 or make an appointment over the phone at (800)-933-3566. Walk-ins are also welcome if space permits. All donors need to bring a donor ID card or ID with name and photo.

This article originally appeared on the Bayside-Douglaston Patch