Ya Gotta Buh-leed: New York Blood Center seeks Met fan donors

The New York Blood Center’s Mets fan blood drive takes place Jan. 14. Photos via U.S. Defense Department/Mets

By David Brand

Bleed blue and orange? Prove it.

The New York Blood Center will host a special series of blood drives specially geared to Mets fans Thursday at locations throughout Queens. Participants who donate blood will receive a voucher for a pair of Mets tickets, a t-shirt and entry into a sweepstakes for signed memorabilia.

The semi-annual blood drive usually takes place inside Citi Field, but pandemic restrictions spurred the organization to hold small, socially distanced events at five separate locations. 

The Mets Fan Blood Drive will take place at:

• Bayside Community Blood Drive

  212-51/55 26th Ave, Bayside NY 11361 from 10 am to 7 pm

• Queens Place Mall

   88-01 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 from 10 am to 7 pm

• Adria Hotel

  221-17 Northern Blvd, Bayside NY 11361 from 10 am to 7 pm

• The Shops at Atlas Park

  8000 Cooper Ave, Glendale, NY 11385 from 10 am to 7 pm

  Rivercrest

  33-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 from 8 am to 12:30 pm

The pandemic has evaporated New York City’s blood stores by discouraging donors from traveling and entering clinics. 

A fresh supply of blood is always needed: Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days and platelets only five, according to a joint letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection from the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers.

New York City faces a 75 percent decrease in its blood supply, said Andrea Cefarelli, the senior executive director of recruitment at marketing at the New York Blood Center.

“The vaccine has shown us a light at the end of the tunnel, but we need New Yorkers to come together to help build and sustain the blood supply,” Cefarelli said. 

“We’re grateful to the Mets for their support and I encourage all eligible New Yorkers — Yankees fans included — to come out and give.”