With Memorial Day weekend here and Long Islanders preparing for barbecues, beach trips and the unofficial start of summer, health officials are warning that something far less visible, but potentially far more urgent, is unfolding behind the scenes.

The New York Blood Center issued an urgent appeal this week for immediate blood donations, warning that the region’s blood supply is under growing strain at the start of what hospitals often call “trauma season.”

According to NYBC officials, blood collections are currently down nearly 15% — amounting to roughly 4,500 fewer donations than needed to keep pace with hospital demand across the region.

The concern comes at a particularly difficult time of year for blood banks.

Memorial Day weekend historically marks the beginning of a seasonal decline in donations as people travel, schools close and routines shift. At the same time, hospitals often begin seeing an increase in serious injuries tied to summer travel, outdoor recreation and holiday activity.

“This is one of the more challenging starts to summer we’ve seen in recent years,” said Jeannie Mascolino, vice president of operations at NYBC.

“We are already thousands of donations behind where we would typically like to be heading into Memorial Day weekend, a time when donations often decline further,” Mascolino said. “Continued donor support in the coming weeks will be critical to helping hospitals maintain a stable blood supply for patients who depend on transfusions every day.”

Limited shelf life

Blood supplies are especially vulnerable because donated blood has a limited shelf life and cannot be manufactured.

Trauma cases can place enormous pressure on hospital inventories. According to NYBC, patients suffering severe injuries may require dozens — and in some cases hundreds — of transfusions within just a few hours.

New York State reports more than 56,000 traumatic injuries annually, with many occurring during weekends and throughout the summer months.

Officials said the current shortfall follows a difficult winter donation season and a spring period that failed to generate the expected rebound in collections. Without an increase in donor turnout in the coming weeks, NYBC warned that the region could slip into what it describes as blood emergency territory.

To encourage participation during the holiday week, NYBC announced that donors who give blood at a donor center or community blood drive between May 20 and May 27 will receive a packable picnic blanket.

The promotion also marks the launch of NYBC’s summer campaign, “Be the Reason Summer Feels Brighter,” aimed at maintaining stable blood inventories during one of the most challenging periods of the year.

Officials noted that recent updates to federal guidance mean more people may now qualify to donate than in previous years.

Whole blood donors are generally eligible every 56 days, while platelet donors may donate up to twice per month.

More information on eligibility requirements, appointments and upcoming blood drives is available through