Rockland's Top Blood Donors Honored

NEW CITY, NY - Several of Rockland County's top blood donors were honored last Thursday for their efforts, according to County Executive Ed Day's office.

The honorees were highlighted as part of World Blood Donor Day, and while a blood drive was taking place.

The blood drive was hosted by the county and organized by the New York Blood Center, according to Day's office.

"Blood is something that unites all of us," Day said in a statement. "We thank everyone who shares that gift of life."

The honorees were David Friehling of Congers; Barbara Matone of Stony Point; Timothy Lockwood of Piermont; Joan Maloney of New City; Thomas Vetter of Garnerville; Robert Bechner of Palisades; Armando Dibiase of Pomona; Richard Satawa of Valley Cottage; Alan Reiman of Stony Point; and Catherine LaBate of New City.

Jeff Cool, a Pomona resident and retired FDNY firefighter, spoke at the event and recalled how he needed 72 blood units to survive after the 2005 Black Sunday Bronx fire, Day's office noted.

Additionally, several local organizations and schools were honored, according to the county executive's office. The groups are Friends of Mindy Cohen; Nyack Seaport, the New City Volunteer Ambulance Youth Corps; St. Catharine's Parish; St. Augustine's Parish; St. Ann's Church; the Stony Point PBA; Dominican College; Ramapo High School; North Rockland High School; and Tappan Zee High School.

The need for blood remains high; Day's office noted that the New York Blood Center declared a blood emergency this month. Prospective donors are urged to visit www.nybloodcenter.org/blood or call 1-800-933-2566.

Rockland residents will have another chance to donate at the next drive, which, Day's office noted, is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The drive will be held at the Rockland Fire Training Center, according to the county executive's office.

Photo: Rockland County's top blood donors are honored. Image is from Rockland County Executive Ed Day's office.