Senator Mattera Joins With Colleagues And New York Blood Center To Highlight Blood Shortage

Senator Mario Mattera (2nd Senate District) joined Senators Phil Boyle (4th Senate District), Alexis Weik (3rd Senate District) and Anthony Palumbo (1st Senate District) at the New York Blood Center (NYBC) office in Bohemia to encourage the public’s help to boost Long Island’s blood supplies.  Over the past year, the COVID-19 crisis has severely impacted donation drives since many of these are normally hosted by local high schools, colleges and local organizations that have been closed due to the pandemic.  Additionally, the recent winter storm led to cancellations of scheduled blood drives and added to the shortage.

In response, the four Senate members are announcing that each of them will team up with the NYBC to sponsor blood drives in their Senate Districts during the week of February 8th.  In addition, the Blood Services of New York will offer anti-body testing at each of the blood drive locations, and will conduct outreach to any candidate who tests positive and wishes to be a plasma donor.

In Senator Mattera’s district, the blood drive will be held at the Smith Haven Mall on Sunday, February 14, 2021.  The drive will take place from noon to 6 p.m. in the mall’s Center Court.  Appointments are recommended and can be made by clicking here.

“With blood supplies already low due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the recent snowstorm that impacted our area was an unwelcome interruption to collection efforts and has hindered the New York Blood Center’s lifesaving efforts.  That is why I am proud to join my colleagues to sponsor blood drives across Suffolk County to provide all of our residents with a convenient and safe way to be a hero.  Each donation has potential to save three lives and we are urging everyone who is able to join us to help our community,” stated Senator Mattera.

“Any time someone donates their blood, it has the ability to save someone’s life,” said Senator Weik.  “COVID-19 has severely limited blood donations nationwide, and Long Island is no exception.  That’s why I am thrilled to co-host with the NY Blood Center a blood drive in the 3rd Senate District.  Our blood drive will also have the ability to test for COVID-19 antibodies, which will allow those with the antibodies to also be a plasma donor.  I encourage anyone that can donate to please do so.”

“Because of this record-breaking winter storm, the winter along with COVID-19 has made it increasingly harder to get New Yorkers in to donate blood,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Execuive Director at New York Blood center.  “We need everyone who is healthy and able to sign up for an appointment and help save a life at this critical time.”

 “I am proud to be teaming up with the Long Island Blood Center to host a community blood drive in the First Senate District,” said Senator Palumbo.  “Throughout the pandemic our community has come together time and again to help their fellow Long Islanders.  Now, with blood supplies running low, we are asking for eligible residents to donate blood and help those in their time of need.”