FDNY and New York Blood Center Launch Critical Days Program to Increase Blood Donations

(L to R) Firefighter Matthew Long, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, President and CEO of the NYBC Dr. Christopher Hillyer and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano with the poster announcing the Critical Days Program featuring Firefighter Long.

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Donating blood at any time of the year is a great way to give back. But between Dec. 18, 2009, and Jan. 11, 2010, the FDNY and New York Blood Center (NYBC) are making your donation even more rewarding.

The organizations have joined to launch the Critical Days Program. During this time, every time a donation of blood, platelets, plasma and automated red cells is made using the group number 4FDNY (43369), $10 will be donated to an FDNY charity.

“This is a tough time of year for people who need transfusions,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said at an FDNY blood drive at FDNY Headquarters on Dec. 14. “That’s why the FDNY and NYBC are asking FDNY employees, their family and the general public to donate blood today.”

At the conclusion of the Critical Days Program, the total amount of money donated will be evenly split among three charities: the New York City Bravest Scholarship Fund, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund and the Paramedic Carlos R. Lillo Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This opportunity is available to any member of the public wishing to donate at one of NYBC’s New York or New Jersey donor centers or blood drive locations.

“With the Critical Days Program, our donors can literally extend their lifesaving gifts, all to the benefit of the three outstanding charities supported by our firefighters,” said NYBC’s President and CEO, Dr. Christopher Hillyer.

Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, Firefighter Matthew Long and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta speak with Lt. Mike Durkin, who donated blood during a drive at FDNY Headquarters on Dec. 14.

One person who knows the importance of blood donations is Firefighter Matthew Long from Ladder 43. In 2005 he was struck by a bus in Manhattan while riding his bicycle to work. In the first 40 hours after the accident, he required 68 units of blood, which is six or seven times the number a body holds.

“I’m living proof that every donation counts,” said Firefighter Long, who is a regular blood donor. “It’s an easy and selfless gift to give. Without it, I wouldn’t be alive today.”

For a list of NYBC locations in NY and NJ, please visit www.nybloodcenter.org and click on the “Locate a Blood Drive” link or call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566).