County Executive Day Declares January 'Blood Donor Month'

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The county executive has issued a proclamation that not only honors good works, but could help to save lives as well.

From the Rockland County Government.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day has officially proclaimed January 2025 as National Blood Donor Month, recognizing the critical role blood donors and collection organizations play in saving lives.

To honor this occasion, County Executive Day presented a proclamation to New York Blood Center (NYBC) in appreciation of their tireless efforts to ensure a steady and reliable blood supply.

"Blood donation is the greatest gift anyone can give as it saves precious lives," said County Executive Day. "We’re proud to honor New York Blood Center for their unwavering commitment to this cause."

New York Blood Center serves as a lifeline for hospitals and patients across the region. They provide critical blood and platelets to meet the needs of individuals undergoing surgery, cancer treatments, or emergency care. During the colder months, NYBC—like all blood banks—often faces shortages due to seasonal challenges such as inclement weather, flu season, and holiday distractions, making January an essential time to raise awareness.

"We are deeply grateful to the County of Rockland for this recognition," said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for New York Blood Center Enterprises. "Every donation helps save lives, and it’s through partnerships like this that we can continue to meet the needs of our community."

The County also honored dedicated NYBC Rockland County partners, including the Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann in Congers, which has contributed nearly 200 units of blood at its 2024 blood drives, as well as retired county employee Fred Cifuni, who has contributed 141 blood donations—or more than 17 gallons.

"Blood donation is the greatest gift you can give someone—a chance at life," said Rev. Vladimir Chripko, C.O., pastor of the Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann. "You never know. The life you save today could be someone you love tomorrow. God’s ways are unpredictable. We are grateful to County Executive Ed Day for recognizing our efforts in this lifesaving mission."

"I remember when someone from our community was in need of blood, so I decided to donate to help," said Fred Cifuni. "That was about 40 years ago, I’ve been donating regularly since then. It’s a way I can help."

Each blood donation can save up to three lives, and the demand for blood is constant, with someone in the United States requiring a transfusion every two seconds.

For more information on how to donate or host a blood drive, visit New York Blood Center’s website.

This press release was produced by the Rockland County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.