The Town Of Oyster Bay Helps Strengthen Blood Supply

Twice yearly, the Town of Oyster Bay attempts to suck the blood out of its residents.  And many of those residents are happy to give it up for their neighbors as part of the town's semi-annual blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center.

The blood drive, started by Oyster Bay Town councilman Joe Muscarella and Town supervisor John Venditto, attempts to get Oyster Bay locals to give the precious gift of blood, which can be the difference between life and death to someone in need.

During the drives, the New York Blood Center stations themselves at several Town of Oyster Bay offices in order to not only reach the common man, but town employees as well. During the March 3rd drive, which ran from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Patch visited a couple of these locations to gauge how public response was faring.

The first stop was Oyster Bay's Robert E. Picken Town Hall South, located at 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa, where the New York Blood Center worker in charge, who preferred not to be named, said that things were going smoothly.

"We were aiming for 40 pints today," she said. "So far, we've got 25, and we've still got a few hours left, so I think we're going to hit the mark." By the time the drive was over, a total of 127 pints were collected.

The recent glut of snowstorms and frigid temperatures had kept many donors at home this winter, resulting in a severely depleted stock of blood. However, the Blood Center was happy to report that a recent resurgence in donations has gotten things back on track.

"Our supply is pretty adequate right now," said the Blood Center worker. "Obviously, we still have to collect on a daily basis, because it goes out as fast as it comes in, but we're not in a critical shortage right now like we were."

Bethpage resident Anthony Vollono, despite some reluctance, had nonetheless given a pint of the good stuff to help those in need.

"I don't like it...I'd rather be out there working," he said. "But I torture myself and I do it, because people need it."

Joanne Garcia of Massapequa made the long trip from around the corner to donate today.

"I normally telecommute on Thursdays, and I live around the block, so I figured I'd come on over," she said. "It's the right thing to do...you save lives."

To qualify as a blood donor, you must be between 17 and 75 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have previously donated blood in the last 56 days. Blood type O-negative is always in demand, as it is known as the "universal donor."

Refreshments such as juice and cookies were made available for all donors.

Another location where the Blood Center held a drive was the East Town Hall building at 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay. Here, the Blood Center was housed out in the parking lot in their mobile "Blood Mobile."

New York Blood Center employee Janice Baxter reported that turnout was also excellent at this location.

"We were expecting at least 40 donors and we've had at least 30 so far, and we've got over an hour or so left today," she said. "We've had to turn a few donors away today due to medical reasons, but it hasn't affected us too badly."

Syosset resident Terry Wulforst was giving blood for the first time ever this day.

"I was just a chicken," she said. "I finally decided that it was the right thing to do, and I shouldn't be such a baby...there are people who need it. So far, so good."