Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined the ribbon-cutting for NYBC’s first-ever donor center in the Bronx, establishing a permanent presence in all five boroughs of New York City
Pictured left to right are: Jacqueline Marston, Donor Specialist II, Yadira Navarro, Director, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Anita Reyes, Assistant Commissioner of the NYC Health Department’s Bronx Health Action Center, Debra Kawalik, Co-Chair, Bronx Community Board 11, Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough President, Harlan Sexton, Guest Speaker, Brian Smith, Senior Vice President, Corporate/Community Relations, New York Yankees, Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Blood Operations, NYBC, Joyelle Morris, Senior Director, NYBC Collections, Novelette Thomas, Team Leader, Nadine White, Donor Specialist II. Photo Courtesy of NYBCe
BRONX, NY – March 06, 2026 – Simone Development Companies, a full-service real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition and development of healthcare, mixed-use, office, industrial, retail and residential properties, joined executives and staff of the New York Blood Center (NYBC) in celebrating the grand opening of the new 4,000 square-foot Bronx Donor Center at the Throggs Neck Shopping Center at 815 Hutchinson River Parkway in the Throggs Neck/Ferry Point community. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, local officials, and healthcare leaders joined NYBC and Simone Development Companies for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the organization’s new permanent presence in the borough.
The new center is NYBC’s 21st donor center in the tri-state area and its first in the Bronx, establishing a permanent NYBC presence in all five boroughs of New York City. The opening comes at a critical time. Blood donations in the Bronx have declined by nearly 40% in recent years, while local hospital demand continues to outpace community donations. The new donor center is designed to make blood donation more convenient for residents and help reach new, diverse, and younger donors to strengthen the long-term stability of the local blood supply.
“The opening of the Blood Center in Throggs Neck is a project years in the making and the result of advocacy to ensure our residents have access to critical blood donation services and emergency support in their own community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “As we face a drop in donations, it is essential that we all play a role in diversifying our blood supply and ensuring Bronx residents have access to lifesaving resources when and where they need them most. I want to thank New York Blood Center and the dedicated advocates and community partners who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. This center represents an investment in our healthcare infrastructure and the well-being of our borough.”
In honor of Black History Month, NYBC presented Borough President Gibson with the Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award recognizing her leadership and commitment to strengthening a diverse blood supply and advancing community health. The award is named for Dr. Charles Richard Drew, the father of modern blood banking and the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Columbia University. His groundbreaking work during World War II laid the foundation for today’s blood banking system.
“New York Blood Center is proud to serve New York City and its surrounding regions – now with more than 20 donor centers and a permanent location in each of the five boroughs,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President, Blood Operations at New York Blood Center. “We’d like to extend our utmost gratitude to the Bronx Borough President for her continued partnership in making this new donor center a reality amid a concerning decline in blood donations throughout the borough. We encourage all Bronxites to come make an appointment to check it out today!”
“We are thrilled that New York Blood Center selected Simone Development’s Throggs Neck Shopping Center for its Bronx donor center, adding a critical service to the surrounding communities and the renowned healthcare institutions nearby,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “New York Blood Center is a great addition to the dynamic mix of specialized medical providers, service-oriented retail, and top national, regional, and local shops and restaurants at this retail destination.”
New York Blood Center joins a prestigious lineup of tenants at Throggs Neck Shopping Center, from medical services providers like AFC Urgent Care, Metro Optics, Schweiger Dermatology Group, and Bridgeway Dental, to retail giants like Target, TJ Maxx, and Petco, as well as specialized stores like Snipes, Skechers, and Mattress Firm. The center also includes multiple popular eateries including Applebee’s, Chipotle, Cap’t Loui Seafood Boil, Five Guys, Charleys Philly Steaks, Starbucks, and Sarku Japan, among others. Five spaces are currently available for lease ranging from 900 to 3,000 square feet, with the ability to offer up to 3,950 square feet of contiguous space.
Since its construction in 2010, Throggs Neck Shopping Center has been a catalyst for economic growth, creating hundreds of new job opportunities and contributing to the borough’s economy and growth. The 300,000-square-foot, large-scale retail development is conveniently located at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and the Hutchinson River Parkway, boasting secure free parking for 625 cars.
NYBC encourages donors to become All Seasons Lifesavers by making blood donation a routine part of their lives and giving once each season. NYBC also offers additional donor frequency programs based on donation type, recognizing those who give consistently throughout the year. Learn more here.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more.
# # #
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Simone Development Companies
Simone Development Companies is a privately owned, full-service real estate investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development, and management of healthcare, mixed-use, retail, office, industrial, and residential properties. The company’s reach extends across New York City and its suburbs including Long Island, Westchester County, Orange and Fairfield Counties and New Jersey.
Over nearly five decades, this third-generation, family-owned business has built a portfolio exceeding 7 million square feet. The organization’s vertically integrated team manages every stage of the project lifecycle, from finance and construction to leasing and property management. Simone Development Companies is set apart by this comprehensive approach, a commitment to long-term asset ownership, and a proven track record of transforming vacant and underutilized sites into vibrant developments that elevate communities.
Learn more at https://simonedevelopment.com/