Patch Donates Pint at St. Edward's

Only 2 percent of people eligible to give blood in New York State actually do.

And for the nine years that your humble Syosset Patch editor has lived in New York, he has been a member of the 98. 

I tried to make up for lost time Monday at St. Edward the Confessor during its summer blood drive. According to Long Island Blood Services Account Manager for Donor Recruitment Donna Penczak, the parish's work couldn't come at a better time. 

"High schools and PTAs do a great job with drives during the school year," Penczak said. "When they're not around and a church runs a blood drive like this in the summer, it's a big deal." 

Long Island Blood Services requires 800 pints a day to stay in ample stock. While Penczak said that the organization is not at a critical or emergency level right now, some donation drives did have to be canceled or close early last week due to the heat. 

Susan Lawlor from St. Edward's Social Ministry and Outreach Office has been here for the past 11 years, and has seen the success of the twice-a-year event.

"We're always grateful to the volunteers and parishioners who come out," Lawlor said. "That's what we're all about here, helping others."

St. Edward the Confessor's blood drive is running through 8:45 p.m. Monday night. Click here for information and directions. Contact Donna Penczak of Long Island Blood Services at 516-478-5041 or dpenczak@nybloodcenter.org.