Blood supply runs critically low in NY and NJ

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- An alarm is being sounded, and it's a matter of life and death.

The supply of blood in New York and New Jersey is at critically low levels.

New York Blood Center reports only a two-day supply of O negative blood, which is the universal blood type used in emergencies. Overall collections are currently registering nearly 20% below the demand from hospitals in the region. 

The center has issued an urgent call for donations, particularly from those with types O positive and O negative blood. It expects to collect only about 6,500 donations this week. That's about 1,600 donations below the usual amount.

At the center on West 35th Street, Julia Tang waited to donate on Friday afternoon. She's a regular donor because blood donations saved her life.

"It’s important for people to understand that it goes to real people. There are a lot of people, including me, who are alive because we got blood donations. Donating blood is a great way to give back to the community, and it’s also a great way to celebrate your own health and your own capacity to be able to help people," Tang said.

Representatives said the spring is typically a slower time. But it's also important to stockpile blood for the busy summer season.

“As we start to build our inventory ahead of the trauma-heavy summer season, the need is more urgent than ever. We’re calling on our community, especially type O donors, to roll up their sleeves and make a donation today. Your blood donation could be the lifeline that ensures our hospitals are ready to face any emergency that comes their way," said New York Blood Center senior vice president Andrea Cefarelli.

Donors can give once every 56 days, and platelet donors can give two times a month. To see current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800-688-0900.

Make an appointment by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. The process takes between 45 minutes and an hour.

Firefighter Philip Reilly has been donating for more than 20 years.

"It started with 9/11. They needed blood and platelets, and I was right there," Reilly said. 

Javier Jimenez has been a donor since high school, and he also works at the blood center.

"If there was a crisis in the city, it would be difficult to handle the situation. It's very personal to me," Jimenez said.

New York Blood Center was founded in 1964 and delivers 500,000 blood products every year to more than 150 hospitals, EMS and health care partners.