![Blood donor](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/node/1862/image/blooddonation.jpg)
Giving just one pint of your blood can help save lives, and it only takes about an hour.
A healthy supply of blood and platelets is crucial for people with cancer, who need more blood products than people with any other type of illness. Because red blood cells can be stored for only 42 days — and platelets for just 5 days — we rely on donations from friends, family members, good citizens, and others to ensure there is enough for everyone.
How to Donate
To make an appointment to donate blood or platelets:
- Schedule online
- Call us at 212-639-7648
- Email us at [email protected]
We ask that all donors be in good health and at least 17 years old or under age 75 (or have parental or physician consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and show picture identification.
If this is the first time that you’re donating blood and/or platelets, you may want to review our general donor guidelines and read our information about other specific requirements such as medicines that might affect your eligibility to be a donor and how frequently you are allowed to donate.
Answers to other common questions about the donation process, the difference between donating blood and platelets, and what happens to your donation are available in our FAQs section.
It is important that you make an appointment to donate as the Donor Room can only accommodate a limited number of donors in a single day. Please be flexible when scheduling your donation.
Feel free to call us at 212-639-7648 with any additional questions you may have.
Directed Donations
Along with blood and platelets donated for use by all Memorial Sloan Kettering patients, we accept donations made for your own future use as well as directed donations for specific patients.
To learn more about this option or to make an appointment, please call us at 212-639-7648 or email [email protected].
Blood Donor Room Location
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Arnold and Marie Schwartz Cancer Research Building
1250 First Avenue
(Between 67th and 68th Streets)
New York, NY 10065
Whole Blood Donation Hours
Sunday from to
Monday from to
Tuesday from to
Wednesday from to
Thursday from to
Friday from to
Saturday Closed
Platelet Donation Hours
Sunday from to
Monday from to
Tuesday from to
Wednesday from to
Thursday from to
Friday from to
Saturday Closed
Parking
We offer donors vouchers for free parking for up to 5 hours at these garages:
-
Somerset Garage
1365 York Avenue at 72nd Street -
City Parking
400 E. 67th Street between First and York Avenues -
David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care Parking Garage
530 East 74th Street