ConnectLife Blog

ConnectLife, Western New York’s only community blood bank, is putting out an emergency appeal to donors as the supply for local hospitals hits a critical low during the slowest time of the year for donations.

Alyson Danielewicz, Chairperson at NY Power Authority & ConnectLife Blood Drive Sponsor shares why hosting blood drives at the New York Power Authority is important to them.

We need WNYers to come in to donate blood this week! A summer shortage has caused an increased need for blood and platelet donation. Come in and get some special "thank yous" including an Independence Day t-shirt, Delta Sonic gift card, and a chance to win a pair of tickets to a preseason game at the new stadium.

An evaluation and competition system created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could lead to 42% of Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) being automatically decertified in 2026. This “throws the non-profit community based OPOs into a cutthroat, iterative Hunger-Games-style competition where only the top are guaranteed ‘organizational survival’,” according to a lawsuit.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) put forward a plan in April to significantly change the ways in which Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) are reimbursed for recovering most types of organs for transplantation. The proposed policies could delay reimbursement for non-profit OPOs, increase administrative burdens and create financial instability.

During National Pediatric Transplant Week (April 19–25, 2026), we shared four local stories of young liver transplant recipients. We can't share recipient stories without honoring the living and deceased donors that gave the gift of life through liver donation.

As he prepares to retire as New York State DMV Commissioner, ConnectLife wishes to recognize Mark J.F. Schroeder for his passionate advocacy of organ, eye and tissue donation. We are grateful for his enduring commitment to providing New Yorkers with opportunities to join the state’s Donate Life Registry. “Mark Schroeder’s dedication to the Donate Life mission has made a real difference in Western New York and across the state,” said Kevin Gramlich, President and CEO of Conn

For as long as that playoff run lasts, ConnectLife will be raffling off two pairs of tickets to each Buffalo Sabres home playoff game.

Happy Donate Life Month! This year's theme is "Rooted in Giving." Join us all April long as we honor local organ donor and recipients and spread the word about the importance of donation.

Throughout 2026, for each donation made beyond the first, O-negative donors will receive Tango e-gift cards through email to reward their lifesaving gift. Whole blood donors will get $15 cards, while double red donations will earn a $30 card.

With each blood donation, donors earn points in the ConnectLife Rewards Store.

All February long, donors at ConnectLife centers and mobile drives will walk away with exclusive Bandits t-shirts, perfect for celebrating their selfless donation while cheering on the defending champs.

Two days before Christmas, the Buffalo Sabres are partnering with ConnectLife to hold a big blood drive at KeyBank Center’s 1970 Club – December 23rd from 10am to 4pm.

November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, Western New York’s only community blood bank will welcome donors for a blood drive from 9am to 3pm in Highmark Stadium’s Toyota Club. To celebrate the special occasion, ConnectLife will be holding raffles throughout the day, with prizes including an autographed Josh Allen jersey, an autographed Greg Rousseau helmet, and tickets to the final regular season home game at the stadium against the Jets.

Donor family members, friends and ConnectLife staff gathered at the Gift of Life Garden in Delaware Park on Saturday, October 5, 2025 to honor organ, eye and tissue donors.

In Western New York’s darkest times, its generous and caring neighbors never fail to answer the call and come to the aid of those in need.

ConnectLife is issuing an emergency appeal for blood donations following a major accident on Interstate 90, which has left multiple individuals critically injured.

ConnectLife and the Bills are giving away a suite for 16 to that final game against the New York Jets the first weekend of January, exact date to be announced.

In 2016, tragedy took Nicole from her family far too soon. Nicole was an organ and tissue donor, something she had registered to be without hesitation. That selfless decision has since touched the lives of more than 53 people. Each recipient carries a part of her legacy.

As of the morning of July 3rd, local hospitals have less than a third of the O- blood that they aim to keep on the shelf.