Longstanding partnership expected to exceed 3,500 blood donations
All blood donors at this blood drive will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a select 2025 New York Mets home game
NEW YORK, NY – New York Blood Center (NYBC) and the MTA Metro-North Railroad will be hosting their 13th annual blood drive on Thursday, May 8th from 9:00am to 6:00pm in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal. All blood donors at this blood drive will receive a voucher for two tickets to a select 2025 New York Mets home game.
The MTA Metro-North Railroad has been a longtime supporter and partner of NYBC, hosting blood drives every year and collecting a total of 3,176 donations over more than a decade, saving the lives of thousands of New Yorkers. This 2025 drive is expected to surpass 3,500 total blood donations.
NYBC recently issued an urgent call for type O+ and O- blood donations. The current supply of O- blood has dropped to just two days, and overall collections are nearly 20% below the level needed to meet hospital demands. This drop in donations is due to seasonal factors such as school breaks, holiday travel, and busy spring schedules. The MTA invites its employees, commuters and the public at large to give the gift of life by donating blood to ensure the region’s blood supply levels stay on track through the summer months.
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.
WHO:
- New York Blood Center Representatives
- MTA Metro North Railroad Representatives
WHEN:
Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Grand Central Terminal – Vanderbilt Hall
87 E 42nd St New York, NY 10017
WHY:
It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.
CONTACT: Sophie Vardi, sophie@HELLER.inc, (908) 267-0006
To make an appointment at this blood drive, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit this link.
About New York Blood Center
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.