FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Diina, 400-7249(c), sdiina@ConnectLife.org
ConnectLife, WNY first responders & healthcare workers to urge blood donors to “Save Our Summer”
Western New York’s only community blood bank is getting a much-needed assist from first responders and healthcare workers during a time of great need for hospitals. Summer is the lowest point of the year for blood donations, with schools out of session and schedules disrupted by vacations. It’s also one of the highest points for blood need with crowded roads leading to more accidents.
The ”Save Our Summer” campaign will feature blood drives at police stations, firehalls, and other facilities as those everyday heroes roll up their own sleeves while they spread the message about the need for blood – a message they see firsthand through their work in our community.
Some three dozen organizations will hold SOS blood drives over the summer, where donors will receive exclusive caps in addition to the monthly rewards ConnectLife offers. Those organizations will have an incentive to rack up donations: all groups that meet their blood drive goal will be entered into a raffle for a suite at a Buffalo Bisons game. But for many, the true reward is knowing blood will be there for the people in need that they work to save every day.
"I proudly support the efforts of ConnectLife to increase the blood supply in Western New York this summer," said Erie County Sheriff John Garcia. "With the need so high, I'm encouraging all first responders to consider making the selfless decision to donate."
"The Buffalo Police Department is a proud partner of ConnectLife and a proud participant of the Save Our Summer: First Responders Blood Drive Challenge,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia. “As Commissioner, I have continued the department's history of giving, scheduling blood drives at Headquarters and station houses regularly. First responders know all too well how important access to the gift of life can be. A quick appointment at your local blood drive can be the difference between life and death for someone in our community."
“Having the ability to carry whole blood on our helicopters has provided tremendous lifesaving capabilities for our flight crews,” said Mike Gugliuzza, Director of Medical Operations at Mercy Flight. “Over the last two years, Mercy Flight has been able to initiate blood administration in the field to trauma patients which has resulted in positive outcomes. Without the ability to have whole blood, the outcome for many of the patients could have been very different. Our partnership with ConnectLife has been nothing short of incredible. However, they need everyone to keep the supply of blood that is needed available.”
“We’re excited to not only donate blood ourselves, but also help give the people of Western New York the chance to become lifesavers themselves,” said Lt. David Morales, Public Information Officer for the Getzville Fire Company. “While this is a friendly competition between first responders, the real winners will be the individuals receiving blood donated by the people that make up the City of Good Neighbors and the greater Western New York area.”
Monthly rewards supplied by ConnectLife’s community partners this summer include $10 at Delta Sonic for June donors, and 2-for-1 beer coupons at Fattey Beer locations in July. Donors also receive reward points that can be redeemed in ConnectLife’s online store for gift cards, clothing and more.
All the blood donated to ConnectLife stays local, saving lives at nearly every hospital in WNY’s eight counties. Donors are welcome at centers in Williamsville, West Seneca, and Tonawanda, as well as mobile drives around the area daily. To schedule an appointment, *text GIVEWNY to 999777, visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716.529.4270.
Download this press release below.
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ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue and blood donations.
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