New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency and is issuing an urgent call for donors. Holiday disruptions, severe winter weather, canceled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illnesses have led to a significant decline in blood donations, resulting in critically low levels across the region.

In recent weeks, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, resulting in less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. The emergency declaration follows an exceptionally challenging end to the year, caused by a combination of events that sharply reduced blood donations:

Severe winter weather across New York, including a recent storm that dropped more than a foot of snow in some areas and resulted in New York City’s largest snowfall in four years, led to disrupted travel and forced blood drive cancellations
Record seasonal illness, with New York State’s Department of Health reporting more than 71,000 positive flu cases in a single week, the highest single-week total since tracking began in 2004
Major holiday disruptions, with Christmas and New Year’s Day both falling on Thursdays, typically one of the highest collection days each week, resulting in a near-total loss of midweek donations for two consecutive weeks and approximately 10,000 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand

“We are entering the new year with a critically low blood supply, and recent winter weather has made an already challenging season even more difficult,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President, Blood Operations at New York Blood Center. “Blood is needed every single day for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions, and there is no substitute when donations fall short.”

While January marks National Blood Donor Month, this year’s observance in New York comes during an active blood emergency, when patients cannot wait. Because blood has a limited shelf life, immediate donations are critical to stabilizing the supply and preventing disruptions to patient care.

“Inclement weather and high flu rates across New York, coupled with the holiday season have created an urgent need for blood donations,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “By opting to donate blood, you are giving individuals in need a second chance at life. I urge everyone who is eligible to schedule an appointment and donate blood.”

To help prevent emergencies like this one, NYBC encourages donors to become All Seasons Lifesavers by making blood donation a routine part of their lives and giving once each season in 2026. NYBC also offers additional donor frequency programs based on donation type, recognizing those who give consistently throughout the year. Learn more here.

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.

Jack Kratoville