In Recognition of National Blood Donor Month, Chancellor King Highlights Success of SUNY Campus Blood Drives
January 31, 2025
SUNY's Commitment to Service through Blood Drives Impacts the Lives of New Yorkers Daily Through Life-Saving Donations
Albany, NY – In recognition of January as National Blood Donor Month, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. recognizes SUNY campus blood drives. Over the years, SUNY and its campuses have partnered with non-profits to organize blood drives, including the New York Blood Center, the American Red Cross, and ConnectLife (CL).
"SUNY's mission is deeply rooted in service and one important and compassionate act of service we can perform is donating blood," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Over the years, thousands of students, faculty, staff, and members of System Administration have rolled up their sleeves to give blood. This act of selflessness plays a key role in supporting the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, which can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need of help."
The New York Blood Center partners with 17 SUNY campuses, and since the 2018-19 academic year, there have been more than 19,000 blood donations from the SUNY community benefiting more than 57,000 patients in need.
Other campuses partner with the American Red Cross, collecting more than 6,550 blood donations annually, and welcoming nearly 2,200 first time blood donors each year.
Key campus highlights include:
- University at Albany: President Havidán Rodríguez and the university community were recognized in 2024 by the Red Cross with its Humanitarian Spirit Award. The award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that embodies the spirit of humanitarianism personified by the Red Cross' founder, Clara Barton, in her mission to put others before self.
- SUNY Canton: SUNY Canton was recognized by the American Red Cross with the prestigious honor of being one of its 2024 Premiere Blood Partners for its support of the community and national blood supply.
- SUNY Delhi: SUNY Delhi conducts four drives each year, one of which is a 2-day blood drive.
- SUNY Delhi received a "Premier Partner" Award from the American Red Cross for the 2023-2024 Academic Year and qualified in June 2024 for a $2,500 Red Cross Student Scholarship, which was split between two students.
- SUNY Morrisville: SUNY Morrisville's Norwich Student Nurse Committee, under the Norwich Campus Activities Board, has run a blood drive each semester for three years, averaging 32-38 units collected per drive.
- The Student Nurses Association on the Morrisville campus also hosts a blood drive every semester.
- Stony Brook University: Stony Brook University is the top-performing SUNY school for life-saving donations according to NYBC, with annual contributions exceeding 1,000 units through multiple drives each year. Stony Brook has been honored by the New York Blood Center for saving more than 100,000 lives over two decades.
- SUNY hospitals host several blood drives throughout the year that are available to the public. In 2024, Upstate Medical University held 16 drives at four locations, collecting 322 units.
Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center Andrea Cefarelli said, "Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood donations from college students and young adults have dropped by nearly 25%, threatening the long-term stability of our local blood supply. We are grateful to SUNY communities for their leadership and dedication in reversing this concerning trend. Universities play a crucial role in educating students about the lifesaving importance of donating blood while engaging them in meaningful community service that transforms lives."
Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO, American Red Cross in Eastern New York said, "Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood or platelets. Generous SUNY students who roll up their sleeves to donate help save lives and meet local blood supply needs across New York State. We are grateful for their leadership and partnership to host blood drives that activate the campus community and engage new donors who will continue this lifesaving tradition."
ConnectLife President and CEO Kevin Gramlich said, "At ConnectLife, we are proud to partner with SUNY colleges and universities to host vital blood drives, empowering students and faculty to make a life-saving impact across Western New York. These blood drives not only help ensure a steady, local blood supply but also foster a sense of social responsibility and compassion among the next generation of leaders. Together, we can save lives and strengthen the health of our communities—one donation at a time. We are thankful for SUNY's support and look forward to continuing our important work together."
On January 21, NYBC declared a blood emergency due to a significant decline in blood donations following the holiday season. Winter months typically see a drop in donations due to travel, seasonal illnesses, and inclement weather, creating a severe shortage. NYBC has reported a nearly 30% drop in donations, amounting to 6,500 fewer units and endangering the region's blood supply. Donations of all blood types are urgently needed, with Types O- and B- at critically low levels of a 1–3-day supply. Click here to find a NYBC sponsored blood drive near you.
The American Red Cross has also declared an emergency blood shortage. According to the American Red Cross, over the past two decades, blood donations have fallen significantly by 40%. The New York Blood Center reports a 50% decrease in donations from those aged 16-24. Click here to find a Red Cross sponsored blood drive near you.
SUNY's commitment to service through its partnerships with NYBC, ARC, and CL continues to make a profound impact on the health and well-being of New Yorkers. By hosting blood drives and educating the next generation about the importance of donating blood, SUNY campuses demonstrate the power of collective action to save lives.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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