Blood, Organ Drives to be Part of Annual Yorktown Street Festival
Yorktown resident David Rocco has donated 160 pints of blood over the last 30 years, and he’s hoping to encourage many others to follow his lead this Sunday in conjunction with the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce’s annual Street Festival.
With thousands of visitors expected in downtown Yorktown from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Rocco felt it was an ideal venue to spread the word about the need for blood, organ and bone marrow donors, so he coordinated the effort that will take place in the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center.
“People are so busy in their lives, but unless it happens to someone in your family you suddenly pay attention,” Rocco said. “This is a great cause and if you help one person it’s worth it. It’s a small sacrifice.”
Only four percent of eligible people in New York donate blood in the United States and New York ranks 49th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in organ donor registration. The American Red Cross will be running the blood drive, while representatives from the NY Organ Donor Network and the NY Area “Be a Match” Bone Marrow Program will be on hand to sign up potential donors.
Rocco noted he first started donating blood in college and never stopped, donating five or six times a year. His 89-year-old father still donates blood as well. Rocco is optimistic of at least 100 pints of blood being donated on Sunday.
Anyone 18 years or older interested in donating should bring a form of identification, weight at least 110 pounds and be in good health.
“I challenge people to come out,” said Rocco, who will also be wearing another hat Sunday leading a small pet parade to promote the town’s new dog park in Mohegan Lake, off Lexington Avenue.
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