New York Blood Center and New Jersey Blood Services have declared a blood emergency across the region, citing a steep decline in donations that has left hospitals with critically low supplies.
According to New York Blood Center and New Jersey Blood Services, blood donations in recent weeks have fallen nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand. As a result, more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area are operating with less than a two-day supply of blood.
Officials said the shortage is the result of a convergence of factors at the end of the year, including severe winter weather, widespread seasonal illness and holiday-related disruptions that led to canceled blood drives and missed donation days.
Only 3% of Americans are active blood donors, according to the NYBC — which previously declared a blood emergency in June. In New York, only 2% of the state’s nearly 20 million residents donate blood. To reliably meet patient needs, according to the center, at least 4% of the population must be active donors.
It’s a growing nationwide problem. In the past 20 years, the number of Red Cross blood donors has plummeted by 40%, according to the agency, and a post pandemic era national analysis by the College of American Pathologists found persistent drops in blood donations.
Recent snowstorms across New York and New Jersey — including a storm that dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas — disrupted travel and forced the cancellation of multiple blood drives, according to the organizations.
At the same time, seasonal illness surged across the region. New York State health officials recently reported the highest single-week total of positive flu cases since tracking began in 2004, with flu activity nearly double that of recent weeks and earlier than typically seen in the season.
The timing of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays also played a significant role. Both holidays fell on Thursdays, traditionally among the highest blood-collection days of the week, resulting in the loss of two consecutive midweek donation periods and an estimated shortfall of roughly 10,000 donations.
“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,” Jeannie Mascolino, vice president of blood operations at NYBC and NJBS, said in a press release about the emergency. “Blood is needed every single day for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions, and there is no substitute when donations fall short.”
January is National Blood Donor Month, but this year’s observance comes amid an active emergency, officials said. Because blood products have a limited shelf life, immediate donations are critical to stabilizing supplies and avoiding 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,” James McDonald, New York State’s health commissioner, said in the release. “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.” New Jersey health officials echoed that message.
To help prevent future shortages, NYBC and NJBS are encouraging donors to make blood donation a routine habit by participating in their “All Seasons Lifesaver” program, which promotes giving once each season in 2026. Additional donor frequency programs are also available based on donation type.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visiting nybc.org. Those unable to donate blood can still support the organizations through financial contributions or volunteer service.
Here is a list of area blood drives in the weeks ahead:
Jan. 10 – 24 Shade Tree Lane, Riverhead (studio) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 10 – Flanders Fire Dept. 19 Firehouse Lane, Flanders (meeting room). 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 13 – Immaculate Conception Church, 580 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 15 – Town of Shelter Island 11:00 am – 5:00 pm 1 Bateman Rd., Shelter Island (youth center). Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 19 – Southampton Youth Advisory Commitee, 655 Flanders Road, Flanders Noon to 6 p.m. (community room) Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 26 – Hampton Bays Public Library 52 Ponquogue Ave. 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 27 – Southampton Fire Dept. 470 Hampton Road (meeting room). Noon to 6 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 28 – Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital 201 Manor Place, Greenport (conference room). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Jan. 30 – Man0rville Fire Dept. 14 Silas Carter Road, Manorville (meeting room), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Feb. 5 – Riverhead Cider House, 2711 Sound Avenue, Riverhead (barrel room), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment.
Feb. 12 – Peconic Bay Medical Center/Northwell Health 1 Heroes Way, Riverhead (conference room). 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment.