New York, NY—The New York Mets, in conjunction with New York Blood Center (NYBC), will sponsor their semi-annual drive on Monday, July 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Citi Field, Hodges VIP Entrance. Blood donations decrease during the difficult summer period with school breaks, the holidays and family vacations. All presenting donors to this special blood drive will receive a voucher redeemable for a pair of tickets to a select Mets home game at Citi Field. (Parking is free for this special Fan blood drive)

“The NY Mets special fan blood drive is a vitally important event for patients and hospitals all over New York. Held every summer around the July 4th holiday, the drive comes as we work to replenish our declining blood reserves, with families out of town and regular donations down,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director of Recruitment & Marketing, New York Blood Center. “This summer is no different; we are in need of O negative, B negative and A negative blood, with all types lower than ideal.”

O negative blood donors are considered “universal,” and their blood type is needed for trauma situations and emergency departments across the country. Due to its high demand, O negative blood is in short supply and NYBC encourages individuals with this blood type to consider stepping forward and donating. 

During the summer months, the local blood supply tends to drop due to seasonal factors. While families take advantage of the long vacation period by planning trips and heading out of town, the need for blood never takes a vacation. In order to maintain a safe blood supply, a seven-day inventory of all types must be continually replenished. Companies, organizations, and community groups are also encouraged to step up to host a blood drive in July or August to help rebuild the blood supply. Hosting a blood drive is easy and NYBC’s staff will help every step of the way.

The blood drive is open to all eligible donors. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. Donors are reminded to make sure they eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation and to bring some form of identification.

Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma – and every blood donation made can save up to three lives – but it can only come from a volunteer blood donor who takes time to help save lives.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive,
Please call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566
Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org

If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing crucial blood products to patients in need, please ask someone to donate for you, or consider volunteering at a local blood drive.

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during summer and winter months. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor's note.

About New York Blood Center_: New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord blood bank. NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter. Follow us on Twitter: @NY_BloodCenter. _