St. John’s Collects Gifts of Life
Posted on November 8, 2017
FAR ROCKAWAY, 2017—Wednesday, November 8, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital hosted a community blood drive on Friday, November 3rd in the hospital’s BOCES Training Center. The hospital’s blood bank partnered with Community Blood Center, an organization that works with healthcare centers around the country to supply patients in need with lifesaving blood.
St. John’s had not hosted a blood drive since 2010, when 49 units of blood were collected from donors. The hospital’s blood bank decided to host one now due to the recent natural disasters across the country which have caused an increase in the need for blood transfusions, as well as the yearly shortage of blood donations that occurs during the holiday season due to winter illnesses and people’s unusually busy schedules.
“When a person donates blood, they get the amazing benefit of knowing that they have saved the life of an infant, child, injured person, or cancer patient,” said Bridget Sheahan, Manager of St. John's Blood Bank. “During times of distress, people like to feel as if they’ve done something to help. Donating blood not only helps, but saves lives.”
The staff at St. John's is looking forward to hosting additional blood drives in the future, and is proud to declare this event a success!
