Village Lutheran Church & The Chapel School Host Blood Drive

Bronxville, NY- On Saturday, April 10th Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School partnered with New York Blood Center to hold a blood drive. Families, faculty, staff and members of the community came together to donate during a time when the blood supply was critically low. Due to the pandemic, many blood drives were cancelled and the region’s blood supply is dangerously low. Donated blood is perishable, so the supply must be constantly replenished.

Forty six units were collected with the potential to save nearly 138 lives. Every two seconds someone needs blood and each unit of blood donated can be used to save up to three people. All blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient blood supply is available, especially type O (universal) donors.

“I was thrilled when we filled all 59 time slots a week before the event,” stated Kim Zwisdak, Development Office Project Manage at Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School. “I am so thankful to all those who donated and/or helped spread the word.” This is the third year they are hosting the blood drive. “I have a very personal connection to the blood drive and know just how important those life saving blood donations are... these donors are literally giving someone more time with their family members.”

There were people who donated many times in the past as well as first time donors. “When I hear people say they are afraid of the needle, I just remind them of all the recipients who have no choice, and may be hooked up to a life saving IV all day… we can face our fears for a few minutes to help others,” stated one donor.

“I am thankful we partnered with the New York Blood Center,” stated Kim. “They were helpful throughout the whole process and the drive was organized and ran efficiently. I am hopeful we will continue this partnership in the future.” Those that were unable to donate at the drive can schedule an appointment at the blood center.

Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School are located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. For more information about Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School and its programs, call 914-337-3202 or visit www.vlc-ny.org or www.thechapelschool.org.

About New York Blood Center
New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the country. Each year, NYBC provides approximately one million blood products to nearly 200 hospitals in the Northeast. NYBC also provides a wide array of transfusion-related medical services. NYBC is also home to the world’s largest public cord blood bank, which provides stem cells for transplant in many countries, and a renowned research institute, which – among other milestones -- developed the Hepatitis B vaccine and innovative blood purification technology. Website: www.nybloodcenter.org