Blood Emergency Prompts Thursday's Fundraiser Drive In Sayville

SAYVILLE, NY — New York is facing a "blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations preceding and following Memorial Day weekend," according to the New York Blood Center, which declared the emergency in early June — when donations had been "2,100 units short of what is needed to meet hospital demand."

On Thursday, the Sayville community was slated to rally to boost blood donations at the senior living community Brightview Sayville, located 445 Broadway Avenue, from 1 p.m. o 7 p.m., just in time for summer, which is "typically marked by a spike in traumas," according to NYBC.

In addition to gathering blood donations for the 56,000 traumas reported annually in New York State—the majority of which occur on weekends and during the summer months—the blood drive is also serving as a fundraiser for a local little girl named Linda with leukemia and for Brightview Sayville resident Lorraine Kneessy who receives monthly blood transfusions, organizers of the event said.

In addition, there will be a barbecue and live entertainment on-site, as well as Italian ices, for anyone who donates.

Funds from the food sales from the event will go toward Linda's wish to go to Disney World.