St. Theresa School Community Rallies Around Briarcliff Family

After Briarcliff Manor's Megan Lapicki-Landers was admitted to Westchester Medical Center's Trama ICU on March 4 for organ failure, friends of the St. Theresa School parent and beloved community member are rallying around her husband and two children.

"She is an old family friend," said Anna Torchia, whose own two children attended pre-kindergarten at the school with Megan's mother, teacher Catherine Lapicki. "She taught my kids 15 years ago and we have remained close since then."

Upon hearing the news of Lapicki-Landers hospitalization and subsequent "14 to 15 transfusions that I know of," Torchia thought of ways to aid the family.

"The only way I knew to help was to hold a blood drive in her honor," she explained.

Torchia has firsthand experience organizing blood drives, after her teenage son and John F. Kennedy Catholic High School student Anthony was in a serious accident that required blood transfusions. Anthony recovered from his several injuries and started organizing blood drives at his high school after realizing how high the demand for blood in the area is.

"Thankfully, Megan is receiving wonderful care from the doctors, nurses and staff," Nicole Collins, president of St. Theresa School's Home School Asosciation, shared with Patch. "Despite this horrible ordeal, it came to her husband's attention the need for blood in our area."

So, with the help of the New York Blood Center, Torchia helped facilitate a blood drive this Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.

According to the New York Blood Center, an average adult's body contains 10 pints of blood, but just one pint can help save up to three lives.

You can sign up for a time slot to donate Saturday online in advance.

"Walk-ins are also welcome," Torchia added.