I’m pleased to join New York Blood Center in marking World Blood Donor Day today, Saturday, June 14, a day to raise awareness about the need for safe blood donations and thank all you great people throughout the Archdiocese of New York for your lifesaving contributions.

I hope you know that our Archdiocese has a proud history of partnering with the New York Blood Center going back to my beloved predecessor Cardinal O’Connor in the 1980s. I was even honored to serve as Religious Chair of New York Blood Center’s Volunteer Leadership Campaign, so I know how important blood donations are! I want to thank New York Blood Center for supplying our hospitals with the diverse blood products patients need and for its leading research with a real humanitarian focus.

You realize every two seconds, someone in our country needs blood? And while 62% of the population is eligible to give blood, only about 3% do. An increase of even 1% would have a tremendous impact and help alleviate shortages in our blood supply. So, do me a favor: click the link below to find a place near you to give blood. A single donation can save up to three lives. Thank you, and God bless you!