Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is a Long-Time Partner of New York Blood Center;
Hosting Annual Drive to Raise Awareness, Provide Convenient Location to Make Life-Saving Blood Donations
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) is once again partnering with the New York Blood Center (“NYBC”) to host a community blood drive on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the second floor Uptown Room at Empire City Casino located at 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY. Blood donations can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or online by using this LINK. This year all donors will receive a box of Girl Scout Cookies and two vouchers for Mets tickets. Empire City continues to host the annual blood drives to increase awareness and provide a convenient location for guests, employees, and area residents to make life-saving blood donations.
The blood drive is happening as donations in New York and New Jersey overall are down nearly 15%, following a harsh winter season and as donations decline due to summer travel and school breaks. The decrease represents approximately 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet the demand of the approximately 200 hospitals that NYBC serves throughout the New York and New Jersey region.
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.
“We are committed to doing our part to support our communities however we can,” said Louis Theros, President & COO of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the New York Blood Center to help address the region’s critical blood shortages.”
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 (in New York it’s much less), 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 the 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 using this link or scanning the QR Code at the bottom. 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.
