New Yorkers Called Upon to Become Life Saving Donors as Blood Shortage Reaches Critical Level;
Local Officials, including “Gallon Club Donor” New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Expected to Attend
With local blood supplies at low levels in the New York region, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (Empire City) has partnered with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) to host a community blood drive on Monday, May 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Blood donations are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or by visiting the registration page on the New York Blood Center’s website at http://bit.ly/EmpireBloodDrive.
As the region recovers from the ongoing pandemic, the blood drive provides an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance and need for regular blood donations, especially since many community blood drives were canceled over the last year. NYBC currently only has a four-day supply of blood, which is below what is needed by local area hospitals. New York’s healthcare system requires about 1,500 donations each day to treat patients ranging from trauma victims, newborn babies, and their mothers, to cancer patients. Donors with type O and type B blood are especially needed.
“We felt it was imperative for us to do our part to help replenish the critically low blood levels and we are honored to support such an important cause,” said Ed Domingo, MGM Resorts Northeast Group SVP, and Chief Financial Officer.
Of the approximately 37 percent of the total U.S. population eligible to donate blood, less than 10 percent actually donate. Nationally, over 4.5 million Americans require a blood transfusion annually, with individuals needing blood every two seconds.
“We are grateful to Empire City Casino for hosting a blood drive as the pandemic continues to pose challenges to collecting blood in the region,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director of Recruitment & Marketing for NYBC. “As New York bounces back this spring, we ask all eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood to help save lives. Please roll up your sleeves and donate.”
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 75, and weighing at least 110 pounds, is a potential donor. Those interested in donating must schedule an appointment in advance to comply with health and safety protocols in place. Prior to the blood donation appointment, on-site specialists will check the blood pressure, temperature, iron levels, and pulse of all donors to ensure individuals are healthy enough to donate. Interested individuals must be 14 days symptom-free, if recovering from COVID-19, and vaccinated individuals are eligible to donate immediately.
Joining Empire City executives in support of the blood drive is New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, whose late husband had been the recipient of numerous blood transfusions and who continues to encourage blood donations to honor his memory.
“I had already donated a gallon of blood over the years before my husband needed an extraordinary amount of blood following a serious operation,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “To have blood available in his time of need made all the difference. That’s why I’m grateful to the New York Blood Center for tireless efforts during this pandemic, and I applaud Empire City for raising awareness about the need and value of donating blood.”
For more information on Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
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About Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
[Please note that customer capacity & amenities have changed as a result of COVID19 restrictions. Please visit www.empirecitycasino.com for the most up to date information.] Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast. Featuring nearly 4,700 of the hottest slots, electronic three card poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo table games, Empire City Casino also offers guests year-round harness racing and international simulcasting; live entertainment including the best party, tribute and Latin bands; New York’s hottest DJ’s, and more. A selection of dining options will satisfy even the most discerning palate with fan favorite fare at The Pub, and convenient delicious options at Lil’ Cocina and the International Food Court. Visit Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, NY, Westchester County, open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Empire City Casino is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200.About New York Blood Center
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the world. NYBC, along with its operating divisions Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Missouri (CBC), Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve local communities of more than 75 million people in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT), Mid Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD, VA), Missouri and Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England. NYBC and its operating divisions also provide a wide array of transfusion-related medical services to over 500 hospitals nationally, including Comprehensive Cell Solutions, the National Center for Blood Group Genomics, the National Cord Blood Program, and the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, which — among other milestones — developed a practical screening method for hepatitis B as well as a safe, effective and affordable vaccine, and a patented solvent detergent plasma process innovating blood-purification technology worldwide.
