New York Mets To Host Astoria Blood Drive

ASTORIA, QUEENS — The New York Mets will hold a blood drive in Astoria this week, and donors get a free pair of baseball tickets and the chance to win team memorabilia.

The blood drive will happen from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Rivercrest at 33-15 Ditmars Blvd., in partnership with the New York Blood Center.

Donors will get vouchers for a pair of tickets to see the Mets, a limited-edition t-shirt and an entry into a sweepstakes for signed Mets memorabilia.

The Astoria blood drive is among 10 taking place Thursday across the city as an alternative to the blood drive the team typically holds at Citi Field that can better meet pandemic protocol for social distancing and crowds.

The Thursday blood drives come as the New York Blood Center is down 1,500 units of blood as a result of the nor'easter that hit New York City last week, according to a news release.

"New York’s blood supply is critically low due to last week’s blizzard and continuous snow-storms," said Andrea Cefarelli, senior executive director of recruitment & marketing for the New York Blood Center. "We thank the Mets for their generous support this American Heart Month. As the winter season and the pandemic continue to pose a challenge, we need everyone to step up for each other."

There has been a shortage in the city's blood supply since the start of the pandemic, after most schools and community groups had to cancel their regular blood drives, according to the New York Blood Center.