The New York Blood Center is hosting a blood drive on Friday, Aug. 28, in Glendale.
The blood drive will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Shops at Atlas Park, located at 8000 Cooper Ave. In addition to Friday’s blood drive, the NYBC will host blood drives throughout the city every Friday through Sept. 11.
The blood center’s goal is collect 50 donations, which, in turn, can help up to 150 patients according to NYBC. To date, blood drives at the Shops at Atlas Park have collected 722 donations in 2020.
Blood collection has been largely interrupted this year because of COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, about 75 percent of the region’s incoming blood supply was collected at mobile blood drives hosted by high schools, colleges, businesses and civic organizations.
In 2020, the number of blood drives the NYBC has been able to operate has dropped by about 70 percent, the organization said.
The NYBC has instituted a number of precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during blood drives.
People are not eligible to donate if they are experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like systems, have tested positive for COVID-19 or are under orders to quarantine. All donors must wear masks and have their temperature taken.
