The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency, meaning there is only 1-2 days supply of blood for hospitals.
In response, Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson will hold a Spring Into Action & Give Blood Drive on Thursday, March 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms A & B. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcomed if space permits.
Register at https://donate.nybc.org/…/schedules/drive_schedule/322086
In recognition of American Heart Month, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown and Huntington Town Councilwoman Theresa Mari are partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a community blood drive at Elwood Public Library, 1929 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The Blood Center’s BusMobile will be on-site from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. to welcome donors and support this life-saving cause.
Donating blood is a simple yet powerful way to help those in need, as blood donations are essential for surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma care, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Every donation has the potential to save multiple lives, and February—American Heart Month—is the perfect time to make a difference.
“Every blood donation is a gift of life,” said Councilwoman Theresa Mari. “The Town of Huntington is proud to support this critical initiative alongside Assemblyman Keith Brown and the New York Blood Center. We hope to see a great turnout from our community. I urge everyone who is eligible to donate and help make a difference this February.”
Assemblyman Keith Brown echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need for donations: “Blood banks are experiencing critically low supplies, we need donors now more than ever. Every drop counts when it comes to saving lives. By donating, you are directly supporting our hospitals, emergency services, and those battling life-threatening conditions.”
For information or to schedule an appointment, visit the New York Blood Center’s website at www.nybc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome as availability permits.
Suffolk County Acting Police Commissioner Robert Waring, Commack Fire District Chairman of the Board Pat Fazio joined Susan Ciano, widow of Suffolk County Police Officer Glen Ciano during a press conference at the Commack Fire Department on Jan. 30 to announce the 15th annual blood drive named in memory of Officer Glen Ciano.
The annual event, which will be held on Feb. 1 this year, is held in honor of Officer Ciano, who was responding to a call when he was killed by a drunk driver in Commack on February 22, 2009.
“It’s Glen’s dedication to public service that brings us back to this blood drive each year to save the lives of as many strangers as possible. Most of us assume that if we need blood it will be available, but the reality is that the only way blood will be readily accessible is if people give up just a little bit of their time to donate,” said Commissioner Waring.
“Blood levels are dangerously low and with the cold weather it’s even worse,” added Chairman Fazio.
“This is a celebration for Glen,” said Ciano’s widow. “And that’s why having my fire department family and the police family here, everyone coming in donating blood, this means the world to our family.”
The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations following the holiday season. The blood center has seen a 30% drop in donations, which has resulted in 6,500 fewer donations and crippled the region’s blood supply. Donations of all blood types are urgently needed—especially Types O- and B-, which are both down to just a one- to three-day supply.
The blood drive will be held at the Commack Fire Department, located at 6309 Jericho Turnpike in Commack, on February 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is not necessary to make an appointment.
For more information, please call 631-499-6690.
It’s the season of giving. The Town of Smithtown will host a blood drive by New York Blood Center at the Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center, 420 Middle Country Road, Smithtown on Nov. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every donor will receive a shirt as a gift. To make an appointment, call 1-800-688-0900 or visit www.nybc.org. Walk-ins welcome.
Suffolk County, in partnership with the New York Blood Center, will host a Blood Drive in honor of Scott Martella on Thursday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Martella, who was the Communications Director for Suffolk County, was killed in a three-car crash on the Long Island Expressway in Manorville in 2016 at the age of 29.
“Scott Martella was a proud public servant who tirelessly served in the best interest of our communities,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “It is my honor and privilege to contribute to these causes and carry on the tradition of the Scott Martella Blood Drive as his legacy will continue to touch the lives of our residents.”
Locations include the Suffolk County Fire Academy, Room K, 103 East Avenue, Yaphank and the H. Lee Dennison Bldg, Plaza, 100 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Hauppauge. To schedule an appointment, call 1-888-933-2566. Walk-ins accepted.
In addition, prospective donors are encouraged to bring school supplies to support the Back-to-School Drive hosted by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in Scott’s honor.
To make an appointment, donors can visit nybc.org/suffolkcountygov or call 888-933-2566.
44 Pints were Collected — Saving 132 Lives
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta thanks all of the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church and members of the community who donated their blood to benefit the blood banks at hospitals served by Long Island Blood Services. “I am grateful to St. Joseph’s Church for doing this event with my office,” said Legislator Trotta.
Fifty-two donors came to the blood drive on June 12 but only 44 met the criteria. However, those donations will save 132 lives since from each pint the blood goes for use as plasma, platelets, and red blood cells – saving three lives.
“I also appreciate the work done by the LI Blood Service personnel, volunteers Rich, Bridget and Vicki, who helped with registration, greeting the donors and stocking the canteen with refreshments. Once again, Kings Park comes through,” added Trotta.
It’s time to batter up and give blood! Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta in conjunction with the Church of St. Joseph in Kings Park will host a community blood drive at Travis Hall located on the lower level of St. Joseph’s at 59 Church Street, on Wednesday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The drive is to benefit the blood banks maintained by Long Island Blood Services, which provides blood to hospitals throughout Long Island. Each donor will receive a pair of New York Mets tickets while supplies last.
To be eligible to donate blood, a person must be between the ages of 16 (16 with parental consent) and 76, (if older than 76, you need written permission from your doctor), weigh over 110 pounds and not have had a tattoo in the last three months. Please bring a valid photo ID with you. LI Blood Services recommends that you eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating. Previous donors should bring their blood donor card with them.
“Hospitals are always in need of blood supplies so it is important that if you can donate blood to do so because one pint of blood can help save three lives. We do a blood drive every year so I thank those who have attended in the past and hope you will consider donating again,” said Suffolk County Legislator Trotta.
For more information, please call Legislator Trotta’s district office at 631-854-3900.
The Town of Smithtown will host a community blood drive at the Smithtown Senior Citizen Center, 420 Middle Country Road, Smithtown on Wednesday, May 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participating community members who donate blood will receive a free box of Girl Scout Cookies. Appointments are preferred by visiting www.nybc.org, however walk-ins will be welcomed. For further information, call Dineen at 631-360-7626.
The Parish of Saints Philip and James, 1 Carow Place, St. James will host a New York Blood Center blood drive for the Paige Elizabeth Keely Foundation on Wednesday, May 10 from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Paige was a first-grader at St. James Elementary who lost her life suddenly at the age of 6 in 2018 due to an undetected arteriovenous malformation AVM.
To make an appointment, please visit www.nybc.org/donate or call 800-933-BLOOD. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison and Commack Fire District Commissioner Pat Fazio joined Susan Ciano, widow of Suffolk County Police Officer Glen Ciano, and representatives from New York Blood Center during a press conference on February 3 at the Commack Fire Department to announce the 13th annual blood drive named in memory of Officer Ciano on Saturday, Feb. 4.
There has been a chronic shortage of blood supplies in New York since the pandemic and blood supplies remain below the ideal five-day safety level. Types O-, O+, B-, and A- continue to hover at less than two-day levels.
The annual event is held in honor of Officer Ciano, who was responding to a call when he was killed by a drunk driver in Commack on February 22, 2009.
The blood drive will be held at the Commack Fire Department, located at 6309 Jericho Turnpike in Commack, on February 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-499-6690.
