At 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, The Field Library in Peekskill will open its STEM & Program Rooms for a blood donation drive. Tables, chairs, and signage will be in place to welcome a line of volunteers moving in an orderly fashion, thanks to the online scheduling system implemented by New York Blood Center (NYBC), the organizer of the event. The drive will run until 7 p.m. and will be coordinated locally by Frank Godino.

The Blood Drive is in partnership with Senator Pete Harckham’s office. “Donating blood can help save lives,” Harckham said. “Someone needs blood every two seconds and one pint of blood can save up to three lives. The donated blood can help not only accident victims, but also those undergoing cancer treatment, certain surgeries and being treated for certain blood disorders.”

According to NYBC, the amount of blood collected at the drive Harckham hosted in Ossining last month was enough to save 135 lives. This will be the eighth blood drive Harckham has hosted since taking office.

Admission requires two things: photo identification and an appointment booked in advance through the New York Blood Center (NYBC) donor portal. On the website, participants can select the time and the type of donation they wish to make. The system displays all available time slots and confirms reservations in minutes.

For first-time donors, there is only one option: whole blood donation. Regular donors may choose the double red cell donation, an automated process that requires specific eligibility criteria and a longer time in the donation chair. The choice is made before arriving; at the library, staff will only verify eligibility.

The general requirements apply to all donation campaigns: good health, a minimum weight of 110 pounds, and, as a rule, 17 years of age or older. Sixteen-year-olds may donate only with written permission from a parent or guardian, using the official consent form. Registration advises donors to arrive well-fed and properly hydrated. NYBC also publishes specifications on medications, recent tattoos, travel, surgeries, or vaccinations that may delay the donation.

Once at the reception area, each donor completes a brief questionnaire before proceeding to the donation chair. At the end, participants receive a light refreshment to help restore energy. Organizers have promoted incentives such as beverage coupons for those who take part.

NYBC has conducted this type of activity since 1964, integrating them into its regional blood collection and distribution network. Peekskill joins the effort with an accessible venue and a community that, according to the organization, is consistently willing to participate. As of press time, one-third of the available appointments had already been reserved.