Red Cross

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C - Batavia) is partnering with the American Red Cross to offer free Hands-Only CPR training to anyone in the district looking to learn. These 30-minute courses are designed to be quick, simple, and easy to learn and can make the difference between life and death for others. Hawley is glad to help educate the public on the skill.

“CPR training is an invaluable skill that could very well save lives, and we should all be pushing ourselves to learn it,” Hawley said. “I am grateful to the American Red Cross  for their partnership in this initiative, and I hope to see many of you out at this free event.”

The time and place of the training will be:

• Saturday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. at the Stafford Fire Department, 6153 Main Rd, Stafford
• Tuesday, March 21, 1:00 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. at the Albion Elks Lodge 1006, 428 W State St, Albion

Anyone interested in signing up should visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aacac22a1f4c25-hands1?useFullSite=true#/ to sign up for the Stafford event. Those interested in participating at Albion should visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aacac22a1f4c25-hands2?useFullSite=true#/. Space is limited, so interested parties are encouraged to apply early. For more information, call Assemblyman Hawley’s office at 585-589-5780.

Press release:

Katy Stone Annual Memorial Blood Drive
LeRoy American Legion, 53 West Main St., LeRoy  
Thursday, October 20 from noon to 7 p.m.

Please remember Mrs. Stone by contributing at the annual Red Cross blood drive in her memory. A lifetime LeRoyan who was devoted to her community, Katy attended St. Peter’s School and then LeRoy Central Schools.  She then worked for many years as a deputy clerk/treasurer for the Village of LeRoy. She served on many advisory boards which included LeRoy Little League, LeRoy youth football, CYFL football, American Red Cross, Genesee County United Way, Triad, and Marshall Fund. 

She also served in various capacities with the Botts Forito American Legion Post 1956, Girls State, Genesee County American Legion Auxiliary, Genesee County Red Cross, LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home, Office of the Aging, LeRoy-Stafford Senior Citizens and volunteered many hours at the V.A. Hospital in Batavia. 

She was selected as LeRoyan of the Year in 1975, Genesee County Woman of the Year in 1984 and received the St. Jerome Health and Humanitarian Award in 1993.

Press release:

Upcoming Batavia area Red Cross Blood Drives:

Tuesday, October 11
Robert Morris
Batavia City School District
80 Union St.
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Tuesday, October 18
NYS School for the Blind
2A Richmond Ave
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday, November 4
Social Services Building
5130 E Main St Rd
09:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday, November 12
Stafford Fire Department
6153 Main Rd. Route 5
08:30 AM - 02:00 PM

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
First United Methodist Church
8221 Lewiston Rd
02:00 PM - 07:00 PM

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?
Disasters like Hurricane Ian are exactly why the Red Cross is so crucial. Hundreds of trained Red Cross volunteers and critical relief supplies are on the ground across the state of Florida – including volunteers from the WNY region. These aid workers have been serving at nearly 300 shelters, assessing damage and distributing supplies- including blood products to hospitals. These selfless individuals will help to provide comfort, care and hope to all those impacted by Hurricane Ian.

What can YOU do? 
Please GIVE BLOOD and help keep the Red Cross supply stable, especially for those in the path of this storm.

If you are unable to donate, or have already signed up, please take a moment to share this message with anyone and everyone you know that might be willing to help. Walk-Ins and appointments are welcome. Call 1800-RED-CROSS or schedule at redcrossblood.org

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our area contact, catherine.orr@redcross.org.

Thank you for doing whatever you can!
Please click here for one-minute video - Myths About Giving Blood

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.

To help draw attention to the critical need for eligible blood donors to come forward and help replenish the supply of blood, UMMC hosted a blood drive on Friday.

UMMC’s Lead Blood Bank Technologist, Jacyln DeGolia was among the donors.

"There's a small percentage of people who are eligible to donate and it's important for our country to keep our blood supply up and for anyone who is eligible to donate to do so on a regular basis," she said.  "(It's important) especially for people like myself who are O-negative, which is the universal donor. I know how important that can be in an emergency situation where we may not have a chance to know a patient's blood type when they need a product, so that's why I personally donate.

Press release:

Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.

Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.

Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.

The Red Cross will be in and around the Genesee County area and appointments are preferred to cut back on waiting times.

Local upcoming blood drives in our area:

• American Legion Le Roy – Thursday, June 18 – 12 – 5 p.m.
• City Church – Wednesday, June 24 – 2 – 6 p.m.
• Darien Town Hall – Friday, June 26 – 1 – 6 p.m.
• Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church – Saturday, June 27 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.* 

* Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

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.

Press release:

This winter high school and college students can help save lives and be eligible to win a scholarship of up to $2,500 by hosting an American Red Cross blood drive. Registration is now open through Nov. 15 to host drives between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15.

“Winter is a difficult time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs with inclement weather and seasonal illnesses reducing the number of volunteer donors that come out to give,” said Red Cross Communications Manager Cara Leyna Noble. “Our Leaders Save Lives program gives students an opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills and help ensure blood is available for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions by recruiting their friends and family to give blood.”

The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply around the winter holidays. Blood donations made at high school, university and college blood drives account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations through the Red Cross. Around the winter holidays, when school is not in session, blood donations often decline.

Students who host a drive can be eligible to win a scholarship up to $2,500 for higher education and earn a gift card. A total of six scholarships will be awarded to students who host a blood drive collecting 25 blood donations or more. All students who collect at least 25 pints at their blood drive will receive a gift card to giftcertificates.com.

For more information and to register to host a Leaders Save Lives blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org/leaderssavelives.

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.

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.

The American Red Cross is closing its Downtown Batavia location Aug. 15.

The office was used primarily for storage and meetings, said Joseph Bonafede, chief communications officer for the ARC in WNY. It has been staffed exclusively by volunteers since November.

The Red Cross is working with other community groups to provide meeting space in the future, Bonafede said. He doesn't anticipate any reduction of service for the residents of Genesee County.

Volunteer response to fires, disasters and other emergencies along with health and safety training, services for military members and blood services have always been performed by volunteers in the field, with no need for a local office, Bonafede said.

Wyoming County hasn't had an office for years, Bonafede said, and, as an example for maintaining a high level of service to local residents, Bonafede used the recent flooding in Warsaw.

"Our volunteers were able to have a shelter ready shortly after being contacted by local emergency officials," Bonafede said. "While the shelter didn’t end up being necessary, our volunteers met with several families that were affected, providing temporary housing for one person and making sure others had the help they needed. They also distributed clean-up kits in the days immediately following the floods, helping neighbors in their recovery process."

The closure is part of a reorganization by American Red Cross in WNY that will help it better service its clients, Bonafede said.

"The reorganization allows us to provide additional services to the community by eliminating duplicate back-end functions and making more efficient use of our donor dollars," he said.

Press release:

The Salvation Army’s 2014 Red Kettle Campaign came to an end on December 24th $3,500 short of its $69,000 goal. Major Robert Kurtz, Corps Commanding Officer, stated, “The people in Genesee County have been very generous with their time and money; individuals, groups, and organizations have donated over 5,000 volunteer hours this season. The campaign was impacted by a short fund-raising season plus the snowstorm in November. The snowstorm affected many families in a variety of ways.”

Red Kettle donations will be accepted until Dec. 30 at 4 p.m., at which time the campaign will close for the year. Monetary donations can be mailed to: The Salvation Army ATTN: KETTLE CAMPAIGN 529 E. Main St., Batavia, New York 14020. Please note in the check memo “Red Kettle Campaign."

Money raised during this campaign is used to support the year-round mission of The Salvation Army in meeting basic needs of food and shelter, crisis financial assistance, programs serving youth and seniors, and life-skill programs.

WBTA, Ken Barrett's and the Salvation Army teamed up once again this year for our community's annual toy drive today.

It's the 20th year the toy drive has been hosted at Ken Barrett's with WBTA providing the promotional push to help generate more than two truck loads worth of donations.

Firefighters from the City of Batavia were on hand to help accept donations.

The toys will be delivered by Santa to boys and girls throughout our community, making it a happier Christmas for many.

Firefighter Mike Dorgan and WBTA radio personality Nici Johnson.

WBTA's ad manager Lorne Way and Joan Stevens from the Salvation Army.

Press release:

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive at United Memorial Medical Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 29. The mobile unit will be in front of the hospital at 127 North St., Batavia.

There is an urgent need for blood donors to offset shortages incurred in summer months and for type O negative donors. Donations in June were down by over 50,000 nationally.

All presenting donors at the blood drive on July 29^th will receive a free gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. Appointments may be made by calling (585) 344-4474. Walk-ins are welcome.

Generally to be eligible to donate, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds. On the day of the donation, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounce glass of water before and after the donation. They also suggest eating a healthy meal, avoiding high fat foods, before donating.

For the appointment (walk-ins are welcome) bring a driver’s license or two other forms of identification and a list of any current medications. After registration, presenting donors will have their blood pressure, temperature, pulse and hemoglobin measured. They will also be asked for a brief health history and asked about their travels to foreign countries.

The donation process itself usually lasts 8-10 minutes, but can be longer based on the donation. After donating, refreshments are provided. The entire process usually takes less than an hour to complete.

People can donate multiple times but must wait eight weeks/56 days between donations of whole blood.

Donors drove up to Ken Barrett Chevrolet and Cadillac today by the dozens to deliver presents for Genesee County youngsters who might not otherwise get a visit from Santa and filled up two pickup trucks with new toys.

It was one of the biggest hauls for the toy drives in recent years.

Besides a big donation from Genesee ARC, the folks at Lawley Genesee (above) turned up in a Mancuso limo on the way to a Christmas party and dropped off several toys.

Pictured above are Lt. Marty Hinz and Chuck Harmon, of the City of Batavia Fire Department, Beth George, Nancy Hale, Patricia Kurtz, Tom Ditzel, Marissa Weaver, Susie Boyce, Wendy MacKay, Kim Morello.

Dan Fischer of WBTA with Kurtz.

Firefighter Green and Mary Blevins, manager of the Batavia branch of Key Bank.

Blevins with WBTA's Sloan Martin.