The need for blood is as urgent as it is constant. Luckily, local Legislators take it upon themselves to regularly collaborate with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) to sponsor and host blood drives around Suffolk County throughout the year.
This week’s collaborative effort featured the involvement of County Legislator and Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point), Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson Station), and Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue).
The drive was held Wednesday afternoon from 1:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at the Coram Fire House.
“We reached out to the Blood Center, because you hear every single day how there’s a shortage of blood, and some areas are in dire need,” Legislator Caracappa told The Messenger. “As human beings, we want to help one another, not just as elected officials. We’re hoping people really benefit from this and if we can make a difference, it’ll save lives. One day, our family members, our friends, or even ourselves might be in need of it. We give it up for the New York Blood Center because they save lives every day. If we can contribute in some small way just a couple days a year, then why not?”
“You’ll constantly hear there’s a shortage of blood in the communities,” said Legislator Lennon. “These direct communities are immensely helpful because now we’re giving the hospitals the blood they need to help save lives. You have that golden hour to save someone’s life when they’re severely bleeding, they could even be bleeding out, and now when you get to the hospital, that blood’s there ready to give it to them to possibly save a life. We look forward to doing more blood drives in the future. blood drives in the future.”
Legislator Thorne, who chairs the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Committee in the County Legislature, says that the need for blood is a constant one in Suffolk County.
“When an emergency strikes, and it happens all the time in the county, emergency blood supplies are vitally important to literally save their lives,” said Thorne. “I always recommend that if somebody has a little room in their heart and a little blood to give, come on down, give a pint, whether it’s at this event or any of the events that are hosted throughout the County, or our Assembly and Senate staff. It will literally save someone’s life.”
Assemblyman Flood thanked the Coram Fire Department for doing the “heavy lifting” for Wednesday’s drive.
“We do a lot of advertising for the drive, especially on our social media, along with my four other colleagues who are here,” said Flood. “Obviously this is a much-needed thing. Everything you hear from hospitals is that there’s a shortage of blood. It’s not overly difficult to give and it saves lives.”
Senator Murray remarked on the typical shortages of blood seen in the summer months.
“In the summertime we always have a shortage of blood. That’s because a lot of people are away, they’re on vacation,” said Murray. “Even right now, with Easter, with Passover, the holidays, it’s running low. So, we need anyone and everyone who can give and can help to come out and give.”
