On Thursday, June 11, 2020, International House partnered with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) to host a blood drive. NYBC is a not for profit blood center providing blood to hospitals throughout the New York and New Jersey community for patients in need of transfusion as part of their treatment. As local blood supply has dropped to dangerously low levels and the need for transfusions has increased, NYBC has been ramping up collections to meet that need and seeking out large and accessible locations to host drives in different neighborhoods across the city. With a longstanding commitment to servicing the neighborhood and surrounding community, I-House donated the space and helped with recruitment.

Due to the current public health crisis and social distancing rules, donors were required to register ahead of time and were given appointments. Nearly 100 community members pre-registered for the event, including I-House residents and staff. All participants were required to wear facial coverings before entering the site and stations were spaced out across the Frohlich gymnasium.

Said Vincent Melito, I-House Group Facilities Director and one of the day’s donors, “This is an important cause and we’re honored to be able to help support NYBC in its efforts to help those in need.” According to a report by NYBC, the donations collected that day are estimated to positively affect 198 lives.

Healthy blood donors are still urgently needed. To learn more about how to help, visit the New York Blood Center website.