In the face of a four week-long blood supply emergency in the region, our 10th annual Lifesavers Blood Drive broke a Central New York one-day blood drive record by collecting 181 units. We also helped raise awareness of the vital need for blood donations, and it’s all thanks to you!

I want to thank the over 200 donors who came out on Tuesday for helping us make a difference in our community and save so many lives. The goal for this year’s drive was 150 units, which would bring the total number of donations through Lifesavers events to 1,000 units. With your help, we easily surpassed that goal and raised awareness about the importance and need for blood donation.

I would also like to thank the more than 40 local businesses that sponsored our event through promotion and gift donations. It’s inspiring to see business leaders working with the community to stand up for such an important cause, and I hope you’ll join me again for next year’s blood drive.

The importance of giving blood was instilled in me by my father, who hosted a yearly blood drive in the village of Clyde. When my father needed a blood transfusion during open heart surgery, I saw directly the life-saving power of blood donation. I have kept the tradition going in his honor.

It is especially critical this time of year, when the warm weather invariably causes shortages in the blood supply. This summer, that shortage is worse than usual. What we did as a community last week has certainly helped. But the need is still quite real and the blood shortage continues.

If you were unable to attend the blood drive and are interested in donating blood at upcoming events, please contact the American Red Cross Central New York Chapter at 234-2200. There are several more blood drives planned throughout our community in the weeks ahead. Or you can give every day of the week at the American Red Cross Donation Center in Liverpool.

Thank you again for the outstanding response to this year’s Lifesavers’ Blood Drive. And, as always, if you have any questions for me about this or any other community, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 452-1115 or StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.