WASHINGTON D.C. – Representatives from New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) and its divisions met with nearly 50 Congressional offices during America’s Blood Centers’ (ABC) Advocacy Summit June 8–9, advocating for policies that strengthen the nation’s blood supply and improve access to lifesaving blood products.
The annual summit brought blood center leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C., to discuss federal policies impacting blood donation, patient care, and the stability of the U.S. blood supply. Representatives from New York Blood Center, New Jersey Blood Services, Rhode Island Blood Center, Connecticut Blood Center, Blood Bank of Delmarva, Community Blood Center, Nebraska Community Blood Bank, and Memorial Blood Centers participated in meetings with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill.
ABC’s 2026 Advocacy Agenda included the expansion of prehospital blood transfusion programs, prioritizing cybersecurity across the blood industry, and championing the BLOOD Centers Act, legislation that would direct the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the licensure process when a blood center opens a new collection site. Following discussions during the summit with his staff, Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18) agreed to sign on as a cosponsor of the legislation.
NYBCe representatives met with congressional staff from Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. They discussed advocacy priorities for the industry and shared about the impact of blood products, benefiting everyone from surgery, cancer, and burn patients to mothers giving birth, infants in need of emergency transfusions, and others. While the need is a great and more than 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only 3 percent of eligible donors actually donate.
“It was wonderful to spend time with all of our team members in Washington and to collectively represent NYBCe and each of our divisions,” NYBCe Community & Stakeholder Relations Director Brian Harper said. “Between us, we met with nearly 50 Congressional offices in one day, a tremendous showing and a testament to our leadership in this industry.”
The team attending the Advocacy Summit included:
