Suffolk Man, FD Dispatcher, Urges Blood Donations At Upcoming Drive: 'It Means The World'

CORAM, NY — A fire department dispatcher whose life was saved by blood donors will get to experience a blood drive in his honor on Wednesday in a full circulatory event.

Spencer Capotosto, 42, of Lake Grove, woke up with severe back pain on Thanksgiving Day in 2023 after spending most of the previous year battling testicular cancer. He was found to have an artery ruptured in his kidney which caused him to bleed out in his abdomen. Capotosto received 19 blood transfusions over the course of seven days which proved critical to saving his life, he said.

Capotosto is dedicated to paying it forward by raising awareness about the lifesaving impact of blood donations and collecting blood at the annual Coram Fire Department blood drive, organized by the New York Blood Center.

The event is scheduled from 1:45 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at 303 Middle Country Road, Coram.

Capotosto said it "means the world" to help run a drive in his honor, providing lifesaving blood to others after his own life was saved through donations.

"It meant a lot when I needed it," Capotosto told Patch. "Having a supply there and them being able to give it to me was lifesaving. Having 19 blood transfusions was insane. I didn't realize how many transfusions I was getting when I was [at the hospital]; I was kind of out of it. It's awesome."

Last year's Coram Fire Department drive collected approximately 220 pints of blood, which Capotosto called "really, really successful."

"I am completely happy to be an advocate and be able to run these drives," he said.

Capotosto said he used to give blood "all the time" until he had a gastric bypass and was advised he should no longer give blood himself because of nutrient loss.

Capotosto is now cancer free after his screens came back clear, he said. He urged people to donate blood if they can.

"If you can do it, if you're able, it's only a couple of minutes out of your day," he said. "It's life changing. It feels good to know that your donation — if you donate money, you don't know where it's going — you know exactly where blood is going when you donate it. With blood, it's almost like farm to table. You know exactly where it's going. It's great, honestly. I think everyone should do it at least once, if you can. You can do it every 56 days, which is crazy, because that's my dispatch number at work."

The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency because of a significant drop in blood donations following a holiday season of "alarmingly low" donor turnout, the NYBC stated.

NYBC has seen a nearly 30 percent drop in donations in recent weeks, which has resulted in 6,500 fewer donations and "crippled the region’s blood supply." Donations of all blood types are urgently needed — especially Types O- and B-, which are down to dangerously low one-to-three-day supply, according to the blood center.

Capotosto said he is "extremely grateful" to all blood donors and to everyone who plans to donate blood on Wednesday, as well as to all the volunteers who collect blood across Long Island.

"I am extremely grateful to my wife for taking care of me through everything," Capotosto said. "She was my biggest advocate. She talked to all my doctors when I was out of it. She took care of me when I was home, through chemo, and everything. I am grateful to everyone."

January is National Blood Donor Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and recognize the lifesaving impact of volunteer donors. Blood donations typically decrease during the winter months because of holiday travel, seasonal illnesses, and inclement weather all making blood donation less of a priority, the blood center stated.

"New Yorkers can make a meaningful impact in supporting the region’s blood supply by donating blood this January," the blood center wrote.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, people can visit the New York Blood Center website or call 800-688-0900.

"It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives," the blood center stated. "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."

Those unable to donate blood can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering their time. Click here to learn more.