New York Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency at Start of 2026

January Blood Emergency Declared

• 🩸 The New York Blood Center declared a blood emergency at the start of 2026, with less than a two-day supply of blood available regionally.
• 🗓️ January is recognized as National Blood Donor Month, highlighting the critical need for donations.

Honoring a 9/11 First Responder

• 🎗️ Anna Woods donates blood in honor of her father, NYPD Sergeant Peter Woods, a 9/11 first responder who died from related illnesses.
• 🚑 Her father worked on the 9/11 pile for over six months and later received a kidney transplant, requiring significant blood transfusions.
• ❤️ Woods emphasizes that blood donors were vital to her father's health and quality of life, calling them "the heroes of our heroes."

Inspiring Others to Donate

• 🌟 Woods was eager to donate blood at 16, seeing it as a way to honor her father and change someone's life.
• 💡 She advocates for the "Make a Difference" (MAD) concept, encouraging others to step up and donate.
• ⏱️ Woods highlights that donating blood is a selfless act with a profound impact, potentially creating many more memories for families.
• 🤝 The Rye Blood Center tour underscores the ongoing need and the community's role in supporting blood donation efforts.