Miller Place Helps Boost Low Blood Supplies

The Miller Place community came together in the spirit of saving lives and eating free cookies as the Miller Place Fire Department hosted a blood drive on Aug. 10.

The drive was organized by Miller Place resident and SUNY Stony Brook student, Kaitlyn Crosby, in an effort to help those in need in our area.

Crosby has been organizing blood drives at the firehouse for the past two years and has earned scholarship money from the New York Blood Center as a result of her hard work.  

While the money toward her education is quite helpful, Crosby finds the true reward of her labor is knowing that she’s making a positive and invaluable difference in the lives of those in need by bringing the community together for events like this and promoting awareness for the importance of giving blood.

“It’s an easy way to help people,” Crosby said. “There is no substitute for human blood.”

This blood drive could not come at a better time, as Long Island blood banks find their blood supplies running low. The fragility of the blood supply had prompted a call for donors from the New York Blood Center in early July. Crosby feels as though the time of the season may account for the lack of donors in recent months. 

“I feel like in the summer, people are busy and don’t realize to donate when they can,” she said.

Thanks to the kindness of local residents, however, the blood supply on Long Island received a much needed shot in the arm. Miller Place residents Rick Batchelder and Roger Rzeplinski were happy to do their part.   

“I’m here to help anyone in need,” Batchelder said.

“It’s good to give blood,” Rzeplinski added. “You never know when you’re going to need it.”

All told, over 35 people donated at the day-long blood drive. With each donation capable of helping three different people, it’s safe to say that a lot of lives were saved in Miller Place Thursday.        

The Miller Place Fire Department plans to hold another drive this coming winter. If you’re interested in giving blood, contact the New York Blood Center at nybloodcenter.org and make an appointment.