STAMFORD — Metropolis cops and firefighters, together with dispatchers, stepped as much as donate blood because the Berkoff household, who owns the Stamford-based BevMax superstore chain, equipped the meals through the largest blood drive of the 12 months at police headquarters.
Stamford police Officer Jessica Bloomberg organized the occasion on Tuesday and turned the neighborhood room right into a phlebotomist’s station, with officers and firefighters mendacity down on tables to make blood donations at a time of 12 months when the availability runs low.
“Each police officer and firefighter leaves right here a pint lighter however with a full stomach, so there’s meals all through the entire day,” mentioned Bloomberg, a local of South Africa.
She made her donation, too, with the needle inserted right into a vein on her proper arm, simply above a Shakespeare-inspired tattoo that claims, “Love all, belief few and do mistaken to nobody.”
A complete of 110 donors, together with some civilian police division workers, have been scheduled to provide blood on Tuesday, Bloomberg mentioned. She hoped to gather about 100 pints of blood. Final June, an analogous effort organized by Bloomberg collected about 60 pints of blood.
“We actually respect the police and hearth becoming a member of collectively to avoid wasting lives,” she mentioned.
Michael Berkoff, BevMax’s president and CEO, mentioned his household was proud to assist the trouble.
Berkoff, who was raised in Stamford, mentioned his brother William contracted COVID-19 in mid-March and spent 11 weeks in Stamford Hospital. Whereas William Berkoff was hospitalized, he wanted blood merchandise to assist together with his restoration.
“We’re extraordinarily completely happy that the Stamford Police Division took the initiative to do that blood drive, and we’re so glad that they work so onerous to maintain us protected,” mentioned Berkoff, who additionally sits on the Stamford Police Pension Board. “They’re a very good group of individuals, and we respect their onerous work and energy.”
Whereas ready for his flip, Sgt. Joseph Kennedy mentioned donating blood is one thing everybody ought to do. “Your blood donation goes up to now, and sooner or later there’s a good probability somebody goes to want it, so why not assist out when you find yourself wholesome. It is without doubt one of the few good issues you are able to do throughout COVID,” he mentioned.
Whereas he was ready to provide blood, 31-year 911 dispatcher Kevin Melly mentioned, “This division does a lot good for the neighborhood in many alternative methods, like coat drives and meals drives. That is simply one other factor they try this I prefer to help.”
Fireplace Capt. Mark Shannon donated blood, too.
“I’ve been giving blood since I used to be in highschool, since I used to be first eligible,” he mentioned. “It’s one thing I consider in. The necessity for blood is at all times there, and I see that by my skilled life. I used to be truly scheduled to provide final week, however I made a decision to help this effort on the police station.”
American Purple Cross account consultant Kendall Trenchard mentioned that in simply over two hours, the drive already collected about 30 pints of blood.
“In the course of the holidays, our want for blood goes up — however actually the necessity is at all times fixed,” Trenchard mentioned. “Each two seconds in America somebody wants lifesaving blood.
“Usually individuals are touring through the holidays and individuals are busier. With out as many individuals popping out it’s actually crucial that anybody who’s wholesome shares their good well being and involves donate,” she mentioned. “The necessity doesn’t cease throughout a pandemic.”
Trenchard mentioned the Purple Cross was additionally conducting antibody checks on the blood to see whether or not donors are optimistic or adverse for COVID.
