MGM Resorts to Host 12th Annual Community Blood Drive

Empire City is a Long-Time Partner of New York Blood Center;  

Hosting Annual Drive to Raise Awareness, Provide Convenient Location to Make Life-Saving Blood Donations 

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) is partnering with  New York Blood Center (“NYBC”) to host a community blood drive on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the second floor Uptown Room at Empire City located at 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY. Blood donations can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or online at bit.ly/2025ECCBloodDrive. Empire City continues to host the annual blood drive to increase awareness and provide a convenient location for guests, employees, and area residents to make life-saving blood donations.

The upcoming blood drive is happening at a time of unprecedented demand for blood. Overall collections are nearly 20% below what hospitals require. In addition, the current supply of O- blood, the universal blood used in emergencies, only has a two-day supply at area facilities.

Annually, 700,000 units of blood are needed by patients, but fewer than 500,000 units are donated. Patients of all ages require life-saving blood or platelet transfusions including cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, transplant recipients, surgery patients, mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, newborn infants, and many more. NYBC services approximately 200 hospitals throughout the New York and New Jersey region.

“We are grateful to Empire City Casino for their continued partnership and commitment to helping New York Blood Center address the urgent need for blood donations,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “The ability to host this annual blood drive at such a well-known location makes blood donation more convenient for our donors in the Yonkers community. As the supply of type O blood remains critically low, we hope local partnerships like this one will inspire more New Yorkers to roll up their sleeves and save lives.”

Nationally, nearly five million Americans require a blood transfusion each year. However, only about 3% of eligible blood donors in the United States choose to donate blood, and research has shown a need for ongoing donations from younger and diverse populations to ensure the resilience of the nation’s blood supply. New York Blood Center has proudly served the community since 1964 as one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers, providing the highest quality blood and stem cell products. Empire City has supported New York Blood Center for over a decade as part of an ongoing, lifesaving partnership.

In addition to benefiting patients in need, regular blood donation has many benefits for the donor including reducing the risk of heart attack by improving blood flow, balancing iron levels, and revealing potential health issues through the free health screening received before each donation which includes blood pressure, temperature, iron levels, and a pulse check.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 75, weighing at least 110 pounds, is a potential donor. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Those interested in donating are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by phone via the number above or online at bit.ly/2025ECCBloodDrive. Donors must be symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or the flu. It is recommended for donors to drink plenty of water, eat well beforehand, and to exercise before, not after, donating blood.

For more information on Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.  

About Empire City Casino 

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast. Featuring nearly 4,700 of the hottest slots, electronic three-card poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo table games, Empire City Casino also offers guests year-round harness racing and international simulcasting; live entertainment, and more. A selection of dining options will satisfy even the most discerning palate with fan-favorite fare at The Pub, and convenient delicious options at Lil’ Cocina and the Big Kitchen International Food Court. Visit Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, NY, Westchester County, open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914-968-4200.

About New York Blood Center Enterprises

Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) celebrates 60 Years of Extraordinary Lifesaving Research, Innovation and Impact. NYBCe is one of the largest nonprofit, independent, community blood centers in the world. Along with partner organizations Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), Community Blood Center of Kansas City (CBC), Connecticut Blood Center (CTBC), Memorial Blood Centers (MBC), Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), we collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve communities approaching 50 million people in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT), mid-Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD), Kansas City metropolitan area, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England. NYBCe delivers lifesaving blood products and services as well as clinical, medical, pharmaceutical, testing, and consultative services to over 600 hospitals and dozens of research organizations, academic institutions, and biomedical companies. Among other milestones, our Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute pioneered the Hepatitis B vaccine and patented a solvent detergent plasma process, innovating blood-purification technology world-wide. For more information, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Josh Knoller, Josh@nicholaslence.com, (201) 294-9586

Jasmin Curtis, Jasmin@nicholaslence.com, (631) 880-9644