Friday, October 2, 2026
When many people consider “donating,” they might get rid of old clothes, send a few dollars toward a worthy cause, or maybe spend time at a local event. What not enough people consider is rolling up their sleeves to donate blood. New York state is currently suffering from a blood shortage. Dr. Lawrence Fialkow, divisional medical officer of the American Red Cross pointed out why January is such a critical time. “The start of the year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood,” Fialkow wrote in a statement to the New York Department of Health. “Severe winter weather, seasonal illnesses and post-holiday schedules can disrupt donations.”
During a whole blood donation, one pint of blood is drawn from the body, which typically holds 10 to 12 pints. With proper nutrition, the body will replenish its own supply in less than two months. Blood drives offer different procedures, including “power red donations” in which additional blood is drawn, red blood cells are specifically collected, and the remaining fluid is returned. This can be done every 112 days.
Donating platelets is the most time-intensive option, taking up to three hours to gradually draw five pints of blood, remove small platelets, and return the unused material. The comprehensive procedure is only done at fully equipped blood centers, not standalone blood drives, but it can be performed every seven days.
For the safety of donors and blood recipients, prospective donors must meet certain eligibility requirements before collection can begin. In New York, you must be 17 years old to donate, or 16 with a parent’s permission. Most people must be 120 pounds or heavier, depending on the type of donation being made. In New York, recent tattoos and piercings will create a three-month delay in the opportunity to donate.
Pregnant women are ineligible to donate until six weeks post-partum. While blood drives aim to be inclusive and do not bias based on gender or sexual preference, FDA regulations require a three-month deferral depending on specific sexual acts. Detailed guidelines can be found at redcrossblood.org/faq.
It’s not uncommon to find random signs posted to announce an upcoming blood drive taking place at a local fire departments, schools, and houses of worship. Many locations have drives on a recurring basis, often yearly or semiannually to capitalize on a fast turnaround time for repeat donors. Because agencies are eager to encourage donations, nearly anyone can apply to host a blood drive by directly contacting the American Red Cross or the New York Blood Center and completing the application process.
If Long Islanders are unable to find a drive happening near them and can’t find one occurring soon enough, they can locate a nearby blood center to make a walk-in appointment by visiting aabb.org/giveblood.
