Blood Drive In Hartsdale To Honor 9/11 First Responder

HARTSDALE, NY — A blood drive will be held in the Hudson Valley in honor of a retired decorated New York Police Department sergeant and Hartsdale fire commissioner.

Peter Woods, a beloved community leader and 9/11 first responder, died Jan. 9, 2021, of complications from 9/11-related leukemia.

The New York Blood Center is hosting its fourth annual blood drive Sunday in honor of Woods.

Woods was a long-time parishioner at Sacred Heart in Hartsdale, where the blood drive is taking place. The church has been a consistent supporter of the blood center by hosting blood drives for more than 20 years.

Woods frequently required blood transfusions for treatment throughout the 15 years of his chronic illnesses and was an advocate for the blood center, speaking at several events to encourage people to donate.

Anna Woods, the daughter of Peter Woods, said the annual blood drive in honor of her dad, is a small way to continue his legacy of getting M.A.D. — Making A Difference.

“He dedicated his life to serving others and paid the ultimate price for his selflessness,” she said in an email. “As a family, we hope to continue his dedication and legacy as best we can.”

Woods said over the 16 years of her father battling various 9/11-related illnesses, he received countless blood and platelet donations that bought more time with his family.

“Those donations allowed him to be a dad to me and my sister Olivia, for more years than we expected,” she said.

Woods said all anyone can ask for is more time with loved ones.

“This blood drive is buying more time for other families who are going through the unimaginable,” she said.

If You Go

• When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25
• Where: Sacred Heart Church, 59 Wilson St., Hartsdale
• Why: It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include cancer patients, accident, burn or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia and many more.
• To make an appointment: Call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.