Tobay Blood Drive Collects 100 Pints

The Town of Oyster Bay called a March 7 blood drive a success, with Town employees and local residents donating a total of 100 pints.

“We have always been able to count on Town employees and residents to roll up their sleeves for our blood drives,” said Councilman Joe Muscarella. “When you consider that each pint of blood, when broken down into component parts, could potentially help save three lives, 300 people will benefit from the donations made on March 7th. And that’s what giving blood is all about…saving lives.”

Muscarella acknowledged the work of Town employees who were responsible for outreach and scheduling appointments in the weeks before the drive.

“You hear about blood shortages all the time, and you may wonder why there is always a sense of urgency,” Muscarella said.

“When you consider that every two to three seconds, someone in the U.S needs blood, and that one in three Americans will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives, the importance of donating blood comes into focus. There is no substitute for blood. If people need blood, there is only one place to turn…volunteer blood donors. The problem is that nationwide, the average donation rate is only five percent of the eligible population, and here on Long Island, the donation rate is less than two percent of eligible donors, so there is a constant strain on supplies and a constant need for donations. For the nearly five million people who receive blood donations annually, your donation can make the difference between life and death.”

For those who missed the drive and would like to donate, call the New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

The Town will hold another drive Thursday, August 1. For information, contact Muscarella's office at 516-624-6304.

Mark your calendars:

Town Board Meeting

Where: Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

When: Tuesday, 10 a.m.

Children's Magical Music and More

Where: Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.