Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts employee donating blood at a previous annual blood drive. Credit: Justin Grasso – Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) is partnering with New York Blood Center (“NYBC”) to host a community blood drive on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the second floor Uptown Room at Empire City located at 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY. Blood donations can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or online at bit.ly/2025ECCBloodDrive. Empire City continues to host the annual blood drive to increase awareness and provide a convenient location for guests, employees, and area residents to make life-saving blood donations.
The upcoming blood drive is happening at a time of unprecedented demand for blood. Overall collections are nearly 20% below what hospitals require. In addition, the current supply of O- blood, the universal blood used in emergencies, only has a two-day supply at area facilities.
Annually, 700,000 units of blood are needed by patients, but fewer than 500,000 units are donated. Patients of all ages require life-saving blood or platelet transfusions including cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, transplant recipients, surgery patients, mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, newborn infants, and many more. NYBC services approximately 200 hospitals throughout the New York and New Jersey region.
“We are grateful to Empire City Casino for their continued partnership and commitment to helping New York Blood Center address the urgent need for blood donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “The ability to host this annual blood drive at such a well-known location makes blood donation more convenient for our donors in the Yonkers community. As the supply of type O blood remains critically low, we hope local partnerships like this one will inspire more New Yorkers to roll up their sleeves and save lives.”
Nationally, nearly five million Americans require a blood transfusion each year. However, only about 3% of eligible blood donors in the United States choose to donate blood, and research has shown a need for ongoing donations from younger and diverse populations to ensure the resilience of the nation’s blood supply. New York Blood Center has proudly served the community since 1964 as one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers, providing the highest quality blood and stem cell products. Empire City has supported New York Blood Center for over a decade as part of an ongoing, lifesaving partnership.
In addition to benefiting patients in need, regular blood donation has many benefits for the donor including reducing the risk of heart attack by improving blood flow, balancing iron levels, and revealing potential health issues through the free health screening received before each donation which includes blood pressure, temperature, iron levels, and a pulse check.
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 75, weighing at least 110 pounds, is a potential donor. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Those interested in donating are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by phone via the number above or online at bit.ly/2025ECCBloodDrive. Donors must be symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or the flu. It is recommended for donors to drink plenty of water, eat well beforehand, and to exercise before, not after, donating blood.
For more information on Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
