Suffolk County will host blood drives at four locations on Wednesday, Aug. 3 to help New York fight a blood supply shortage and honor Suffolk’s late communications director, Scott Martella.
County Executive Steve Bellone joined with Martella’s mother Stacey, two Suffolk legislators, and New York Blood Center’s assistant director of donor recruitment Tina Kovolisky to announce the upcoming events held in memory of Scott, who in 2016 died in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway at age 29.
“Scott Martella was one of the most dedicated and talented public servants that I have had the pleasure of working with,” Bellone said. “He touched the lives of countless individuals and this year’s blood drive will not only help address the current critical blood shortage, but will honor his passion for giving back and his legacy and commitment to serving others.”
These are the locations for Wednesday’s blood drives to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- Riverhead County Center, 300 Center Dr., Riverhead
- DSS MacArthur Building, 3455 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Ronkonkoma
- Suffolk County Fire Academy, 103 East Ave., Yaphank
- H. Lee Dennison Building, 100 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Hauppauge
NYBC officials noted that the organization is prepared to declare a statewide blood emergency due to the shortage.
“We’re grateful to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the Martella family for partnering with us to encourage blood donations during this critical time and for choosing our organization to honor Scott’s memory,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president of NYBC. “We highly encourage all who are able to donate blood and give back to the community. One blood donation can save up to three lives.”
To make an appointment at this blood drive, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit donate.nybc.org/donor/umc/view/suffolk_county_gov_in_memory_of_scott_martella.
Thos who cannot donate blood on this day but would still like to donate in honor of Scott at a NYBC location can use the blood drive code 71573.
In addition, residents are encouraged to donate school supplies for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless’ school supply drive in Scott’s name. The coalition’s executive director, Greta Guarton, said Scott headed the county’s partnership with the supply drive before he died.
