Overwhelming Response to Need for Blood After Tragic Thruway Crash
- cpfentner
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Diina, 400-7249(c), sdiina@ConnectLife.org
WNY’S GOOD NEIGHBORS COME THROUGH
Overwhelming response to need for blood after tragic Thruway crash
In Western New York’s darkest times, its generous and caring neighbors never fail to answer the call and come to the aid of those in need. That selfless spirit shone once again this past weekend in the wake of the terrifying tour bus crash on the state Thruway.
Minutes after the news of the bus crash broke, ConnectLife received requests for nearly all its available blood from local hospitals preparing for the arrival of the patients. In response, the blood bank texted all recent donors with an urgent need to help maintain the supply, and the response was overwhelming.
124 donors gave blood Friday as ConnectLife centers stayed open well past closing time to accommodate walk-ins into the evening
208 donors gave blood Saturday, the second-busiest Saturday ever at ConnectLife. By comparison, that is nearly the total of the previous three Saturdays combined.
22 donors gave blood at a rare Sunday drive, nearly twice as many as were expected to come
“There are no words to describe just how unbelievable the response we’ve seen the past few days has been,” said Sarah Diina, Senior Director of Communications & External Affairs at ConnectLife. “We can’t thank them enough, as well as our incredible staff who went above and beyond to make sure everyone who wanted to give blood this weekend was able to.”
The need for blood will continue throughout the next few weeks as ConnectLife and local hospitals restock from this sudden and urgent need. All September and October donors will receive a Bills phone wallet attachment and will be entered into weekly drawings for M&T Club tickets at Bills home games.
Blood donated to ConnectLife stays local, helping nearly every hospital in WNY’s eight counties maintain safe inventory levels. Platelet donation appointments are available at centers in Williamsville, West Seneca, Tonawanda and Lockport. To schedule an appointment, visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716.529.4270.
Download this press release below.
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ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue and blood donations.
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