Stony Brook University Athletics To Host Blood Drive On Campus

STONY BROOK, NY — New York Blood Center [NYBC] is teaming up with Stony Brook University Athletics to host a blood drive on campus. The event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Island Federal Credit Union Arena, Pritchard Gymnasium, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook.

"This blood drive is important as young donors are critical to the blood supply and the majority of college blood drives have been canceled since the onset of the pandemic," the blood center wrote in a news release.

Before the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, mobile blood drives hosted by high schools, colleges, businesses and other organizations made up roughly 75 percent of the region’s incoming blood supply, but the number of blood drives has dropped by two-thirds this year due to the pandemic, according to NYBC. It began hosting a limited number of drives again this summer. However, they are far from the number of drives per month needed to support area hospitals, according to the blood center.

The event is co-sponsored by T-Mobile, and the telecommunications company will be handing out swag to donors. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, sign up here or call 1.800.933.2566.

Extra precautions are being taken by NYBC to help prevent the person-to-person spread of the coronavirus. As always, people are not allowed to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available here.