Blood Drive Is Rockland County Family's Way To Give Back

WEST NYACK, NY — A blood drive coming up June 10 at the West Nyack Firehouse is a thank-you gift from a longtime local family to the community and to all those who donate blood.

Denis Muller, a 2019 graduate of Clarkstown South High School, is at home recovering from emergency open-heart surgery and complications including additional procedures. All of that was happening while his grandmother was dying.

Both of them had to have many blood transfusions.

The 20-year-old Manhattan College sophomore and his parents, Lynn and Eric Muller, really wanted to do something in response, said family friend Kelly Morales.

"I offered to help organize and run the blood drive on behalf of the family as they wanted to give back, as their loved ones benefited from those who have donated blood," she told Patch.

Though coping with his still-acute health crisis, Muller is expected to drop by the blood drive, and his mom and dad will be there, too, saying thank you.

Registrations are important because of the coronavirus pandemic, Morales said. Also, if the NY Blood Center gets lots of registrations, they could open up additional spots.

Questions about why you should be a blood donor? Here's an FAQ.