New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency, citing a sharp decline in blood donations following the holidays, severe winter weather that led to cancelled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illness.
NYBC said donations in recent weeks have been nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, leaving less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. The organization attributed the decline to multiple disruptions at the end of the year, including winter storms that affected travel and forced blood drive cancellations, high rates of seasonal illness, and the timing of Christmas and New Year’s Day, which NYBC said resulted in a significant loss of midweek donations and about 10,000 fewer donations than needed.
“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 of 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.”
January is National Blood Donor Month, but NYBC said the current shortage makes immediate donations especially important. Because blood has a limited shelf life, the organization said a sustained increase in donations is needed to stabilize supplies and avoid disruptions in 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.”
For more information about donating blood, visit NYBC.org
Here are the upcoming community blood drives in the local area during January:
Box Pickleball
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, noon to 6 p.m.
605 Old Country Road
Riverhead
Schedule a donation
Bloodstock/Living Waters Church
Saturday, Jan. 10
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
24 Shade Tree Lane
Riverhead
Schedule a donation
Flanders Fire Department
Saturday, Jan. 10
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
19 Firehouse Lane
Flanders
Schedule a donation
Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital
Wednesday, January 28
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
201 Manor Place
Greenport
Schedule a donation
Town of Riverhead
Thursday, January 29
9:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Riverhead Town Hall
4 West 2nd Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
Schedule a donation
Manorville Fire Department
Friday, January 30
1- 7 p.m.
Manorville Firehouse
14 Silas Carter Road
Manorville, NY 11949
Schedule a donation
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