Abyssinian Blood Drive at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, NY

The Abyssianian Baptist Church in New York City sponsors a blood drive twice a year to benefit local hospitals and patients in need. The church, which is located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan at 132 Odell Clark Place (West 138th Street), holds the blood drives at their main church location at various times during the year, so please check with them directly to see when the next drive is. Donors must be at least 16 years old, must weigh at least 110 pounds, and must have not donated blood in the last two months.

Donating blood can help save the lives of cancer patients, premature babies, individuals with anemia, and those who end up in the ER after an accident. All donors will receive a Metrocard subway pass for their time and generosity, and a raffle is held at each blood drive as well. The church asks that donors eat healthy, iron-rich meals before donating. Beef, lamb, pork, seafood, soy, nuts, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and citrus fruits are all good sources of iron, while milk and dairy tend to lessen the iron count in the blood.