NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New York Blood Center (NYBC) and its divisions serving the 20 million people of New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey thank blood donors everywhere who make the time to give blood, the "gift of life," so that others may live. June 14, recognized as Flag Day in the U.S., is also celebrated globally as World Blood Donor Day. This year's theme is "New blood for the world," where youth will be the focus of the day in events and activities around the world.

Blood transfusion is a vital component of health care. The World Health Organization chose June 14 as the day to recognize the millions of people who save lives and improve the health of others by donating blood. While this day highlights the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourages more people to become regular blood donors, it also celebrates and thanks all those who voluntarily donate their blood without any reward.

As the need for blood increases globally, young people can make an important contribution by donating blood. Young people unable to donate for any reason can volunteer their service as advocates, by recruiting other young people to become blood donors.

World Blood Donor Day also highlights the need to regularly give blood to prevent shortages in hospitals and clinics, particularly in developing countries where quantities are very limited. Out of the 80 countries with low blood donation rates (fewer than 10 donations per thousand people), 79 are developing nations.

To meet local needs, New York Blood Center requires between 1,600 to 1,800 blood donations each day to meet the needs of regional hospitals. Healthy people can donate one pint of blood every 56 days.

New York Blood Center (NYBC) thanks every individual blood donor and the wide variety of organizations that sponsor blood drives throughout the year.

     To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive,
                    Please call Toll Free:  1-800-933-2566
                         Visit:  www.nybloodcenter.org

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during the winter holiday and summer periods. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People age 76 and over may donate with a doctor's note.

About New York Blood Center: New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals serving the 20 million people of greater New York since 1964. NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord blood bank. NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us at Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter. Follow us on Twitter: @NYBloodCenter.

    Contact:  Leslie Gonzalez
    lgonzalez2@nybloodcenter.org
    (212) 570-3304  Office
    (646) 342-3038  Mobile

SOURCE New York Blood Center