The New York Blood Center (NYBC) and the Diocese of Brooklyn are in the final planning stages of the annual Blood Drive Campaign Recognition Event that will be held at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, on Tuesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m.

Pastors, educators and blood drive coordinators will celebrate the successes of local parish blood drives during 2017. Guests will hear the testimony of a blood recipient who has personally benefitted from the lifesaving work done by all those in the room.

Awards will be presented to parishes with the largest number of donations.

NYBC also has asked for the support of the community by participating at one of the upcoming blood drives scheduled for the rest of the month. The multiple snow storms in March, including the post-Easter weather, has increased the need for blood donations at this time of year.  NYBC hopes to replenish recently lost donations and ensure the blood supply stays strong this summer.

Upcoming drives sponsored by parishes include:

Sunday, April 22

– Our Lady of Lourdes, Queens Village, 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Stewart Hall (cafeteria)

– St. Sebastian’s, Woodside, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parish Center

– St. Leo’s, Corona, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Baretta Hall

Sunday, April 29

– American Martyrs, Bayside, 9:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Sullivan Center

– St. Luke’s, Whitestone, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., School Auditorium

– St. Michael’s, Sunset Park, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., School Auditorium

For any questions on the event or the blood drives, contact New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566).