Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts to Host Annual Community Blood Drive Thursday, May 11 at Empire City

 Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts to Host Annual Community Blood Drive 
Thursday, May 11 at Empire City

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is a Long-Time Partner of New York Blood Center; Hosting Annual Drive to Raise Awareness, Provide Location to Make Life-Saving Blood Donations

Yonkers, NY – Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) has partnered with the New York Blood Center (“NYBC”) to host a community blood drive on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the second floor Uptown Room at Empire City Casino located at 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY.  Blood donations can be scheduled by calling 1-800-933-2566 or online at http://bit.ly/EmpireBloodDrive. Empire City is hosting the blood drive to increase awareness and to provide a convenient location for its guests, employees, and members of the general public to make life-saving blood donations. 

New York’s healthcare system requires nearly 2,000 donations daily to address the needs of New York and New Jersey communities. Patients who require lifesaving blood or platelet transfusion include cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and mothers delivering babies, transplant recipients, surgery patients, and many more.

“When we see an immediate need in the surrounding communities that Empire City serves, we always try to do our part to step in and assist,” said Ed Domingo, senior vice president and general manager of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “We are honored to again support the New York Blood Center with such an important cause and are proud to provide a convenient location for people to participate in lifesaving blood donations during such a critical time.” 

One Empire City team member exemplifying how helping the community is in MGM Resorts’ blood is Creative Manager Justin Grasso, who is a Gallon Club Member at the “White” level. Grasso has donated over two gallons of blood to the New York Blood Center to date, through over sixteen donations. 

“I always tried to donate blood at least once a year and at Empire City’s annual blood drives,” said Justin Grasso, creative manager at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “But after seeing the increased need for donations during the pandemic, I started donating every eight weeks and plan on donating platelets in the future as well.  I am grateful to work for a company that understands the impact of this life-saving initiative and offers opportunities to volunteer towards a cause so important to me.”  

Nationally, over 4.5 million Americans require a blood transfusion each year, with an individual needing blood every two seconds. Despite this extensive need, only about ten percent of eligible blood donors in the United States donate annually. 

Joining Empire City in support of the blood drive is New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, whose late husband had been the recipient of numerous blood transfusions and who continues to encourage blood donations to honor his memory. 

“As we continue to face unprecedented challenges, it is more important than ever to support one another,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “Donating blood is a simple act of kindness that can make a significant difference in the lives of others. I am proud to support the critical work of the New York Blood Center and Empire City Casino and thank them for organizing and hosting this blood drive. I encourage everyone who is able to donate blood and make a difference in the lives of those in need.” 

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 or online. All donors receive a pre-donation health screening that includes blood pressure, temperature, iron levels, and pulse check. Donors must be symptom-free for 14 days if recovering from COVID-19. Vaccinated individuals are eligible to donate immediately.   

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

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About Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts

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 including the best party, tribute, and Latin bands; New York’s hottest DJ’s, 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. Empire City Casino is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200. 

About New York Blood Center

Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the world. NYBC, along with its operating divisions Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Missouri (CBC), Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), and Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC), collect approximately 4,000 units of blood products each day and serve local communities of more than 75 million people in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT), Mid Atlantic area (PA, DE, MD, VA), Missouri and Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Southern New England. NYBC and its operating divisions also provide a wide array of transfusion-related medical services to over 500 hospitals nationally, including Comprehensive Cell Solutions, the National Center for Blood Group Genomics, the National Cord Blood Program, and the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, which — among other milestones — developed a practical screening method for hepatitis B as well as a safe, effective and affordable vaccine, and a patented solvent detergent plasma process innovating blood-purification technology worldwide. 

Media Contacts:    

Maria Cray, Maria@nicholaslence.com, (508) 245-6564

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