Lewisboro Residents Roll Up Sleeves and Give Blood

LEWISBORO, N.Y. – The snowy weather on Wednesday did not deter Lewisboro residents from turning out in droves to roll up their sleeves and donate a pint of blood at the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps blood drive.

“The weather hasn’t impacted the turnout,” said Kathy Peterson, an EMT and coordinator for the LVAC fourth annual drive. “Beside the people who made appointments, we’ve had many walk-ins as well.”

Peterson said that over the years the Corps has received a lot of phone calls from the N.Y. Blood Center telling them that its blood supplies were low. When the LVAC built an addition onto its headquarters four years ago, it had the space to conduct its own blood drive and help out the situation.

“It’s a way for people in the community to do something that has an impact,” Peterson said. “It saves lives and it also gives people the opportunity to come in and see our facilities.”

Peterson said the LVAC has had as many as 75 people show up for its blood drives – though not all qualify – and has taken in as many as 56 units of blood in one day.

Waccabuc resident and LVAC member Nancy Musich wanted to donate on Wednesday, but couldn’t because she had a cold.

“My father relies on blood because of a chronic illness,” she said. “I’ve given blood before, since I was in college. It doesn’t hurt and it’s a healthy thing to do for the body.”

Charlie Bartholet, a South Salem resident, said he was a regular donor.

“I’ve been doing it since I was in college; it’s a good thing to do,” Bartholet said as he lay on the table while a phlebotomist removed the needle from his arm. “I have a needle phobia and this has helped me get over it. My mother used to give blood. I remember looking in her jewelry box and she had all these gold pins shaped like blood drops that they used to give out.”

Bartholet said there was another motivation for coming to the LVAC blood drive.

“They have good cookies here,” he said with a laugh. “They want you to eat and have something to drink after you donate.”

Annie Petronis of Goldens Bridge said giving blood was a tradition in her family.

“My father turned 90 and was diagnosed with acute leukemia,” she said. “He needed blood and platelet transfusions. He lived for nine more months. I felt like I should give back," she said. "It really meant the world to me to have my father for those nine months. Plus, it’s a privilege to donate. I give several times a year and am a member of the Gallon Club.”  

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