Ocean City Blood Drive Seeks ‘Life Saving’ Donations

OCEAN CITY, NJ — An Ocean City woman is seeking donations for a blood drive on Tuesday to support her friend as he battles a rare form of brain cancer.

Jacki D'Amato considers Timothy Svitak Sr. to be the most generous man she knows after spending many years as a neighbor to him and his family in Marlton, and taking summer day trips with them to Ocean City.

Svitak, a husband, father of three and grandfather of four, is now in need of blood and platelets as he undergoes chemotherapy treatments. He has been denied blood over the last few months due to the national blood shortage, according to D’Amato.

To help him gain the blood supply he needs, D'Amato has organized a blood drive at the Ocean City Tabernacle on Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. and is still trying to fill about 34 appointments.

“Tim is a kind generous man, only 54 years old with lots of life left in him and lots of memories to still be made,” D’Amato said on Patch. “His daughter is running a blood drive in Mount Laurel and I am hosting one in OC to make sure he has what he needs to get through his upcoming transfusions.”

Appointments are encouraged. Donors can register online, or make appointments by emailing D’Amato at jacki.damato@gmail.com or calling her at 609-760-8775.

Attendees should bring a photo ID, and eat and drink before donating.

“The blood from this drive is life saving and urgently needed. If the donation is not a match the blood will go to other patients who are also in dire need,” D’Amato said.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.