Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro’s holiday blood donor drive surpasses goal
Molinaro urges Islanders to give “The Gift of Life” during emergency shortage
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today thanked the 629 Staten Islanders who gave “the gift of life” at his first-ever Holiday Blood Donor Drive, far exceeding the goal of 500 pints.
“I’m very proud that Staten Islanders came out in record numbers to donate blood during our month-long holiday drive, a time of year when people are preparing for the holidays or traveling,” said Molinaro. “But emergency needs remain the same, and the person who is fighting for their life is counting on you to give the ultimate gift – the gift of life..
From December 8th to January 8th, the Borough President’s Office held its first Holiday Blood Donor Drive at sites across the Island to help Brooklyn/Staten Island Blood Services replenish their supplies during the winter months when donation levels plummet.
“Staten Islanders have always come together and given generously of themselves, particularly in time of need, and these 629 pints should go a long way in helping to alleviate the current emergency blood shortage,” said Molinaro, whose office holds six blood drives a year, collecting nearly 2,000 pints. An emergency drive is scheduled for February 3rd.
On Tuesday, the New York Blood Center issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, announcing that supplies have dropped below the five-day safety level, forcing the Center to impose rationing upon the area’s 200 hospitals.
“Without increased donations, our hospitals will no longer have the blood they need to treat their patients,” Molinaro said. “I appeal to Staten Islanders to roll up your sleeves and give the ‘gift of life’. The life you save may be that of a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or your own.”
Brooklyn/Staten Island Blood Services operates a donation site at 2791 Richmond Avenue (above Verizon Wireless) in New Springville, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566, or go to www.nybloodcenter.org.
January 15, 2009