Report On June 8 Roosevelt Island Day Blood Drive - 19th Annual Blood Drive Will Positively Help 125 Lives Says RIRA Blood Drive Committee Chair Janine Schaefer

Every Saturday since May 18 the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Blood Drive Committee was signing up volunteers to donate blood during the June 8 Roosevelt Island Day celebration. RIRA Blood Drive Committee Chair Janine Schaefer reports on the results of their efforts. According to Ms Schaefer:

Another Successful Blood Drive on Roosevelt Island Day

A large number of Roosevelt Island residents turned out for the 19th Annual Blood Drive, held on Saturday, June 8, as part of Roosevelt Island Day activities.

The New York Blood Center reported that:

• There were 39 people who made whole blood donations and two other people made Alyx donations, meaning twice as many red cells were donated. This made a total of 43 donations.
• As a result, more than 125 lives will be positively affected by our blood drive.
• In addition, there were 46 people who, for various reasons, were turned away and were unable to donate blood that day.

It is important to note that it is difficult for the New York Blood Center to obtain usable blood.

"Donating blood is literally giving the gift of life. The New York region needs almost 2,000 volunteers to donate blood each day to meet the demand. There is simply no substitute for donated blood," according to the New York Blood Center.

“The New York Blood Banks always face a shortage of blood during the summer months. One of the reasons is that there are fewer blood donations made during this time of year. That is why our annual June blood drive is so important,” said Joan Ogden, the Co-Chair of this year’s blood drive.

RIRA thanks:

• the community members who took the time to donate blood
• the RIRA members and residents who volunteered to make this event such a huge success
• the RISA board members for supporting RIRA by graciously hosting this event
• RIOC for all their support and its employees who donated blood
• the local media who promoted awareness of the Blood Drive.

Special thanks to the Island businesses who stepped up and gave 10% appreciation discounts to donors:

• Bread & Butter Market
• China 1 Kitchen
• Fuji East
• Island Wine & Spirits
• Nisi Kitchen
• Piccolo Trattoria Pizza & Ristorante
• Pupculture
• Roosevelt Island Cleaners
• Roosevelt Nails
• We Are One
• Wholesome Factory

The staff of The New York Blood Center told us that there is always an urgency for donations, so we plan to sponsor another blood drive in early December, so stay tuned for further details.

The blood donations

were hosted by the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) at the Senior Center (548 Main Street)

Ms Schaefer reported to the June 5 RIRA Common Council on the Committee's efforts.



You can also sign up online now to donate blood and help save one life, maybe more.