Blood Drive

Press Release:

Join in to celebrate Matthew’s birthday and bring a “Plus One” with you to give blood and help patients in need celebrate more birthdays with their loved ones. The event includes a t-shirt sale and basket raffle with all proceeds for the Matthew Kota Scholarship Fund for students at Notre Dame High School and Byron-Bergen Jr./ Sr. High School. 

At a very young age, Matthew Kota, of Byron, knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up - a doctor. But sadly, his dreams were cut short. In memory of Matthew for his birthday, the Batavia community and surrounding areas are encouraged to give the gift of life and donate blood at the largest annual American Red Cross blood drive in Genesee County on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Northgate Church South Campus in Batavia. 

“Matthew never waited for anything to happen, he made things happen,” said Jason Kota, Matthew’s father. “He was truly one of a kind and I’ve yet to meet anyone else on this earth like him.” Matthew, the eldest of four children, was just 17 years old when he passed away in 2008 from complications of brain surgery.

Matthew enjoyed the outdoors and had a smile that would light up a room, but it was his humanitarian spirit that friends and family say was contagious. Matthew had a desire to help people, and that’s one of the reasons why he became a blood donor and volunteered with the Red Cross. He had hoped to join the Gallon Donor Club and even though he did not achieve that goal, his family and friends are now carrying out his wishes by holding blood drives in his memory. He was posthumously awarded the 10-gallon milestone from donors on his behalf in 2021. “Matthew was our son, a friend, leader and now our Angel,” Jason Kota said. 

Family and friends say hosting this blood drive is a unique way to memorialize what Matthew stood for - helping others. They are now giving back by turning their heartbreak into hope for other families in need. At this point, the Kota family has now collected 906 units - and counting - in their 15 years of hosting the blood drive. 

How to Sign Up

Schedule your appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code bataviany or zipcode 14020.  Walk-ins are welcome around appointments. 

 Donate at the 16th Matthew Kota Memorial Blood Drive on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northgate Church South Campus – Community Room located at 350 Bank St. Batavia.

Blood supplies are critically unstable every summer, according to Catherine Orr, in charge of donor recruitment in the region for the American Red Cross, and many donors go on vacation when the need for donations is at its highest.

Sharing this, she said, "would help save lives."

"The Red Cross is the only blood bank to supply blood to 100 percent of WNY hospitals," she said. "There are more recipients in need than donors, so we are constantly seeking new blood donors."

The Red Cross is also seeking volunteers to help with blood drive registration, promotion, and the canteen. Any one interested in volunteering can call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Walk-ins at blood drives are welcome, or donors can save time and book an appointment by clicking here.

Local blood drives:

• Tuesday, June 28, American Legion, Batavia, 8960 Alexander Road, 2 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 29, St. James Episcopal Church, 405 East Main St., Batavia, 1 to 6 p.m.
• Friday, July 8, Social Services Building, 5130 East Main Street Road, Batavia, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, July 14, St. Maximilian, 2707 Angling Road, East Pembroke,  1 to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 19, First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia, 2 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 23, Stafford Fire Department, 6153 Main Road, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

UPDATE: Additional time and location: Village Fitness, July 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Press Release:

In collaboration with the American Red Cross, Batavia Community Schools is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Thursday, December 30, 2021, from 9 AM-2 PM at Robert Morris Multi-Purpose Room, 80 Union Street, Batavia. 
 

Click here to schedule an appointment, or call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Appointments are still available. 

 

As of August 9, American Red Cross requires that all individuals at blood drives wear a face mask regardless of vaccination status.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is sponsoring a blood drive to take place this Monday, March 1, from 2-7 p.m. at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel.

The blood drive is also being cosponsored by Connect Life. Paula’s Donuts will also be donating coupons for a free donut to those who make a donation. Those over the age of 18 can call (716) 529-4270 to make an appointment or go to connectlifegiveblood.org using sponsor code 004006.

“In this time of great need, I am hopeful we will see a great turnout of people at this blood drive, and save many lives with these crucial donations,” Hawley said. “If people haven’t given blood yet, I’d tell them there’s no better time than to start now, because in the challenging times we’re living in today that hour or so of time could be the difference between life or death for one of our neighbors.”

WHO: Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Connect Life

WHAT: Blood Drive

WHEN: Monday, March 1 from 2-7 p.m.

WHERE: Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, 8315 Park Road, Batavia

From James Call, president of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department:

We are having a BBQ with the finest premium chicken on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road. Starts at 11 a.m. until sold out.

The BBQ meal is $12 and includes a half chicken, salt potatoes, applesauce, cookie and roll.

Presales tickets are available. Email:  bbq@staffordvfd.org

Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing guidleiness must be followed.

We are having an empty can & bottle collection to benefit the Madison Grace Memorial Fund, too. (The empties are being redeemed at Mickel's Nickels.)

The American Red Cross will be doing a blood drive at the fire hall also.

The flea market we had planned is postponed due to COVID-19.

Press release:

The Pembroke Corfu Darien Kiwanis Club is holding their 13^th Annual Car Cruise and Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Pembroke Town Park on Route 77 (next to the high school). Rain or shine!

There will be music, a variety of vendors, food trucks, basket raffle and grilled lunch by Crossroads House, and lots 'n' lots of CLASSIC CARS!

This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a free Kid’s Car Cruise for ages 8 and under from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cruise registration starts at 9 a.m.

The preregistration fee is $10 per car; $15 day of the cruise. Proceeds benefit PCD Kiwanis Kids Projects in our community.

Unique dash plaques and goody bags are guaranteed for the first 100 cars.

Participants vote and trophies are awarded at 3 p.m.

For Cruise info, call John at (716) 937-9918, or email him at drogicd@gmail.com.

*Vehicle owner assumes liability for vehicle damage.*

To preregister, make your check payable to PCD Kiwanis Club, and mail to:

• PCD Kiwanis Club, Attn: Car Cruise Registration, 470 Sumner Road, Corfu, NY 14036

Please include on a piece of paper: your name, address, city, state, Zip Code, phone number, email address, and the year/ make/ model of your vehicle. You may also download a car registration form or vendor application form on their website:www.pcdkiwanis.com.

For vendor information, please call Penny at (585) 356-3413 or email her atpcdkiwanis@gmail.com.

Masks will be required at this event, social-distancing protocol will be in place, and there will be hand-sanitizing stations throughout the park.

There will also be a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (masks required). Preregistration is required and information can be found at www.connectlife.org. This is an organization that keeps blood donations local; one donation can save up to three patients at Western New York hospitals.

We hope you’ll come on out to the park on the 20^th. It will be a great day!

The Batavia Players will hold their first blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, in the reception area of Harvester 56 Theatre, located at 56 Harvester Ave. in Batavia,

To schedule an appointment go online here and enter sponsor code 000489; or call Unyts at (716) 512-7940.

A photo ID is required to donate blood.

Matthew Kota

Submitted photos and press release:

Giving back and saving lives 10 years later. Jason and Nancy Kota lost their son, Matthew, 10 years ago but they continue to honor his memory by giving back to the community and by helping save lives with the American Red Cross.

The Kota Family will be hosting the 10^th Annual Matthew Kota Memorial Blood Drive on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Notre Dame High School in Batavia. It is located at 73 Union St.

Due to blood drives canceled due to winter weather and illnesses such as the seasonal flu, there is a critical need for blood donations. Eligible donors are urged to give now. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment. Presenting donors will receive a $5 Dunkin Donuts card.

From left: Sara Kota, Jason Kota, Nancy Kota, Sean Kota, Chuck Marra and Tyler Kota.

Press release from the American Red Cross:

The first ever Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Genesee County, which took place Thursday, Aug. 11, between Mercy EMS, Batavia City Fire Deptartment, Town of Batavia Fire Department, State Troopers, Batavia City Police and the Sheriff’s Office initially ended in a TIE!

But after the tie, the American Red Cross turned to the votes of the wonderful volunteers, who donate their time and efforts at the blood drives throughout Genesee County, led by Jennie Starowitz (Bergen) and Sharon Frost (Le Roy).

All the departments received many votes. Votes came from all the donors who donated at the Annual Genesee County Community That Cares that is held every year at the Quality Inn & Palm Island Indoor Waterpark. There were many civilian donors and there were many first responders who donated as well from all departments from as far out as Jamestown. Donors also came from Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Niagara and Erie counties.

The premiere 2016 Genesee County Battle of the Badges winner is the STATE POLICE. The Troopers, led by Major Nigrelli, edged out the Sheriff’s Office by two votes and Mercy EMS came in third place, just two votes behind the Sheriff’s Office. The City fire, Town fire and City Police all were represented and all ended up in a three-way tie.

But for now, the State Troopers have the bragging rights for the next year. 

Tompkins Financial sponsored this great event and the Quality Inn & Palm Island Indoor Waterpark hosted this blood drive that will end up helping hundreds in need of life-saving blood donations. Thank you to all first responders for all that they do every day on the front lines and to all of the wonderful citizens who came to donate, the volunteers, sponsors and host.

The debut of a community blood drive dubbed "The Battle of the Badges" will take place from noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, at Quality Inn & Suites, 8250 Park Road, Batavia.

It's being presented by Tompkins Financial for the American Red Cross.

The question looms: Who will be the 2016 First Responder Champion for the premiere of this contest?

A Trooper? Sheriff's Deputy? A city or village Police Officer? City firefighter? A volunteer for a town fire department? A Mercy EMS technician? Ambulance personnel?

All help save lives on the job and by donating blood, they help save lives off the job, too.

For appointments, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or sign up online at redcrossblood.org

Press release:

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout the holiday season.

A seasonal decline in donations often occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday vacation from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.

Lorie Alwes remembers her father being called often to give blood – even on holidays. He had type O negative blood, the universal blood type.

“One time it was in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner and off he went without hesitation,” she recalls. “He explained to us kids that his blood was used in emergency situations and could possibly save another life.”

Years later, Alwes learned that she also has type O negative blood. She has since donated whenever needed and has encouraged her 17-year-old son to carry on the lifesaving family tradition that was so important to his grandfather.

Donors with all blood types are needed, and especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB. All those who come to donate Nov. 25-29 will get a Red Cross mixing spoon and celebrity chef recipe set, while supplies last.

To make an appointment to donate blood, people can download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In Genesee County, there are four upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Alexander
Monday, Nov. 23 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Alexander United Methodist Church, 10540 Main St.
 
Batavia
Friday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Social Services Building, 5130 E. Main Street Road
Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Batavia City Mall, 106 Main St.
 
Stafford
Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stafford Fire Department, 6153 Main Road, Route 5

How to Donate Blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

At a very young age, Matthew Kota, of Byron, knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up — a doctor. But sadly, his dreams were cut short. In memory of Matthew and his 24th birthday, the Batavia community and surrounding areas are encouraged to give the gift of life and donate blood at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Notre Dame High School in Batavia.

The recent winter weather and widespread flu have impacted the ability of some eligible, healthy donors to give blood. Dozens of blood drives have been cancelled and thousands of donations have gone uncollected because of the storms. Despite the weather, hospital patients still need blood.

“Matthew never waited for anything to happen, he made things happen,” said Jason Kota, Matthew’s father. “He was truly one of a kind and I’ve yet to meet anyone else on this earth like him.”

Matthew enjoyed the outdoors and had a smile that would light up a room, but it was his humanitarian spirit that friends and family say was contagious. Matthew had a desire to help people, and that’s one of the reasons why he became a blood donor and also volunteered with the Red Cross. He had hoped to join the Gallon Donor Club and even though he did not achieve that goal, his family and friends are now carrying out his wishes by holding blood drives in his memory.

“Matthew was our son, a friend, leader and now our Angel,” Jason Kota said.
 
Matthew, the eldest of four children, was just 17 years old when he passed away in 2008 from complications of brain surgery. Matthew had a large arterio-venous malformation or AVM. A vein in his head was significantly larger than it should have been. Doctors believe AVM is congenital and dates to birth.

Matthew’s family and friends say hosting this blood drive is a unique way to memorialize what Matthew stood for — helping others. They are now giving back by turning their heartbreak into hope for other families in need. Matthew’s younger brother, Sean, graduated from Notre Dame High School.

Donate Blood in Memory of Matthew Kota
Saturday, Feb. 7
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Notre Dame High School
73 Union St.
Batavia

To make an appointment to donate, download the Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org

All presenting donors will receive a $5 Dunkin' Donuts card as part of the “Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference” campaign.
The Red Cross urges healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets to help hospital patients and maintain a stable blood supply. Blood donors of all types are needed, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative and platelet donors. One blood donation can help save up to three lives.
 
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org <http://www.redcrossblood.org> or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
 
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org> or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross <http://www.twitter.com/redcross>.

Press release:

Theo was an active kindergarten student at Amherst Central School who suddenly became very sick. He had a rare autoimmune disorder that caused spontaneous bleeding. 

Theo was dying. He needed a blood transfusion, but the platelet transfusion didn’t help.  Next the doctors decided to administer an immunoglobulin transfusion, a special blood product that is made from the plasma of at least 1,000 donors.  

This helped a great deal, but Theo wasn’t completely recovered. He needed one more platelet transfusion before he completely recovered. Now he is an active 8-year-old who is looking forward to being in the third grade.

It took 1,002 donors to provide the blood components that saved Theo. Now he and his family would like to thank those donors with a campaign to replace the blood that was used for Theo – 1,002 units, plus one to “pay it forward.”

Batavia’s Mega Blood Drive today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel sponsored by The Bank of Castile is part of the effort to help Theo’s family raise 1,003 units of blood. Theo and his mom, Gina Bellavia, visited Batavia to speak to community organizers who met at The Bank of Castile to plan for the drive.

“I couldn’t believe more than 1,000 people had donated their blood to give my son another chance at life,” said Gina. “Blood donors are super heroes to Theo and our family.”

All donors at the drive will receive a T-shirt that says they are part of Theo’s Super Hero campaign. Local businesses have joined together to encourage employees to donate. 

Walk-ins are welcome.

“We can help many people and organizations by donating money, but the need for blood is one thing that money can’t buy,” said Gregg McAllister from The Bank of Castile. “Red Cross reports indicate that there is a shortage of blood this summer, so every donation is very important.”

The Batavia Mega Blood Drive has consistently been the largest drive conducted in Genesee County each year.

“We know Genesee County residents care for their neighbors. A blood drive is a time when they literally roll up their sleeves to help others.  That’s why Genesee County is a great place to live,” McAllister concluded.