Senator Kennedy Announces Kick-Off for ‘90 Days of Remembrance’ Blood Drive

Senator sponsors June 11 blood drives to help Red Cross launch drive for 911 units of blood by Sept. 11

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Timothy M. Kennedy, D-58th District, is sponsoring blood drives on Saturday, June 11 in Cheektowaga and Hamburg to help the Red Cross kick off their “90 Days of Remembrance” effort – which aims to secure 911 units of blood at each of the five Red Cross blood donation centers by September 11.

As the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Red Cross is launching the promotion to provide Western New Yorkers with an opportunity to show that they have not forgotten and to help the Red Cross remain constantly prepared to meet everyday and emergency blood needs.

“I am honored to sponsor the kick-off blood drives for the ‘90 Days of Remembrance’ effort,” Senator Kennedy said. “In the days following September 11, Americans stepped up – in unprecedented numbers – to supply the Red Cross with the blood they needed to support people enduring tragedies. Starting this June, Western New Yorkers will again have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves to support the Red Cross in their effort to secure 911 blood donations by 9/11.

“We have not forgotten, and we will not forget the tragic events of September 11, 2001,” he added. “I encourage you to join me in giving blood during the ‘90 Days of Remembrance’ to keep the United States and the American Red Cross strong and ready to respond to any emergency.”

“The Red Cross is grateful and truly humbled by the spirit our community showed 10 years ago when people lined up for hours to donate blood, hoping to help those affected by the events on September 11, 2001,” commented Kay Schwartz, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region. “We know that generosity of spirit still exists, and feel this campaign offers community members the opportunity to support those in need of blood today, while paying tribute to those we lost 10 years ago.”

Senator Kennedy is encouraging Western New Yorkers to donate blood during the kick-off drives to show an early commitment to the Red Cross in the lead up to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. If you cannot make it to one of the blood drive locations on June 11, ‘90 Days of Remembrance’ invites all current and first-time donors to visit the Blood Donation Center closest to them and donate blood at any point during the 90 days before September 11.

The Cheektowaga Blood Donation Center is located at 576 Dick Road, Suite 1, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14043. The Hamburg Blood Donation Center is located at 5161 Camp Road, Hamburg, N.Y. 14075. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800 RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

Each donor will receive an exclusive 10th Anniversary commemorative pin celebrating their blood donation and be invited to write a personal message to a family affected by 9/11. Each Red Cross blood donor will also be invited to the 10th Anniversary Ceremony which will be held on September 9 at the Buffalo Chapter and be a part of the annual placement of nearly 3,000 flags in front of the Buffalo Chapter in remembrance of 9/11.