Tags Posts tagged with "Community Blood Drive"

Community Blood Drive

By William Stieglitz

The Middle Country Public Library’s Centereach branch hosted a blood drive on May 27 with New York Blood Center, drawing in many local donors. 

“We use a lot of blood, supplying all the hospitals in [the] New York area,” said NYBC team leader Vincent Verdi. “So we need to collect as much blood as possible.”

Donors start by filling out paperwork and getting an initial drop of blood taken behind a blue curtain. After the drop is tested and found to have the right amount of iron, donors go to a chair where blood is taken from their arm via a machine. “The whole thing from when you walk in [takes] probably, maybe a half an hour,” said blood donor Bruce King, not counting the 15 minutes after for observation and cookies.

King donates every few months. Another donor, John Ryan, said he tries to donate as often as he can. “[My] family had a traumatic hospital experience once, so it’s my way of giving back.” Austin Pelissier said it was his sixth or seventh time donating, and does so because “I don’t have an excuse not to… I like being able to save a life.”

Pelissier said he always gives the double red blood donation, which he explained was different from the full blood donation. “The double red – they take your blood, they filter out the red blood cells, take the red blood cells, and give you the rest of your blood back along with a little bit of saline solution. That way, you don’t feel as woozy, but they can take more of the red blood cells, which they do.”

NYBC volunteer Marie Rotolo said its important donors prep right by drinking plenty of water and making sure they ate enough protein beforehand. She and other volunteers observe people after their donation to make sure they’re okay. “If we see that someone is getting sick, we just help them to put their head down so they don’t fall… I call for assistance, someone will come over. They’ll ask them if they could get up to go in the chair, and they bring them back on the bed, raise their feet, do what they need to do.”

Rotolo became a volunteer after retiring from Stony Brook Hospital, and has done it three times a week since 2016 to give back. Another volunteer, Lynn Paul, began while she was still working as a retired nurse, and said she likes to give as much time as she can. She has volunteered at blood drives for fire departments, schools and other libraries. “I feel like I’m helping the community doing this. And, it’s fun. We have a ball. Nice people that we meet. The staff is friendly.”

Paul said the turnout can vary, with some having around 50 sign-ups and at least one she was at having over a hundred. But she also stressed that even small turnouts can make a big difference. “Some drives will only get 20, but 20 is 20 units. One unit can save three people. So it’s the gift of life, and we really appreciate it. And we thank them. We make sure that they’re well appreciated, and they know it. And they keep coming back.”

According to Verdi, the day’s blood drive kept a steady pace. “Some blood drives, we get 30 pints, which gets separated into three different components and which would be 90 products.” He explained how after spinning down the blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets, they then send the products to the hospitals based on their specific needs.

The blood drive was one of many held at Middle Country Public Library, which supplies NYBC with their programming room and also helps with contacting donors. The library normally holds several blood drives each year.

For more information on blood donations or to schedule an appointment, you can go to https://donate.nybc.org or call 1-800-933-2566.

Legislator Trotta donating blood at one of his sponsored drives at Travis Hall, Church of St. Joseph in Kings Park.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, in conjunction with St. Joseph Church in Kings Park, will host a blood drive in St. Joseph Church’s Travis Hall, 59 Church Street, Kings Park on Thursday, June 5, from 1:45 p.m. until 7:45 p.m.

Free parking is available in the lot off Old Dock Road. The drive is to benefit the blood banks maintained by Long Island Blood Services, which provides blood to hospitals throughout Long Island.

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,” said Legislator Trotta. For more information, call  631-854-3900.

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.

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St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, 50 Route 25A, Smithtown hosts a New York Blood Center community blood drive in its Medical Office Building, Lower Level, on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please remember to eat, drink and bring your ID with your name and photo. Appointments preferred by calling 1-800-933-2566, however walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits.

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Farmingville Fire Department, 780 Horseblock Road, Farmingville hosts a Community Blood Drive in memory of fire department member Norman Neill Jr. on Friday, July 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each participating donor will be entered into a sweepstakes for a pair of Mets tickets. Appointments strongly preferred by calling 1-800-933-2566 or by visiting www.nybc.org. For more information, call Jennifer at 516-310-2382.

Photo from Councilwoman Bonner's office

On July 3, Councilwoman Jane Bonner (seated) donated blood during the New York Blood Center Blood Drive in memory of John Drews, Jr.at the Sound Beach Fire Department headquarters.

The event was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Bonner, Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo and New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio. The blood drive collected 46 pints of blood, which could save 138 lives. Pictured with Councilwoman Bonner are John Drews (center), Ginny Drews (right) with a nurse from New York Blood Center (left). Each donor received a Mets T-shirt and a pair of New York Mets tickets.

Eighty percent of blood donations are collected at mobile blood drives set up at community organizations, companies, schools, places of worship or military installations. The remaining 20 percent are collected at Blood Donation Centers. For more information, or if you want to donate blood, go to the New York Blood Center website at www.nybc.org or call 800-933-BLOOD. 

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Batter up and give blood! The Sound Beach Fire Department, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach will host a Community Blood Drive in memory of John Drews Jr. on Wednesday, July 3 in its Meeting Room from 1 to 7 p.m. Each donor will receive a Mets T-shirt and a pair of New York Mets tickets (while supplies last). Appointments preferred by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybc.org  but walk-ins welcome.  For more information, call Jennifer at 516-310-2382.

Batter up and give blood! Temple Beth El of Huntington, 660 Park Avenue, Huntington hosts a Community Blood Drive on Monday, July 1 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. All donors will receive a Mets T-shirt and a pair of NY Mets tickets (while supplies last). Prizes hold no cash value and are not transferable.

Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your ID with your name and photo. Appointments are preferred however walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. Visit nybc.org/coronavirus for COVID-19 safety protocols. For more information or to make an appointment, email Robin Zucker at [email protected].

 

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Batter up and give blood! Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Knights of Columbus #5814, 683 Route 25A, Rocky Point will host a Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 19 from 1 to 7 p.m.  Each donor will receive a pair of New York Mets tickets (while supplies last). Appointments preferred by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybc.org  but walk-ins welcome.  For more information, call Jennifer at 516-310-2382.