The Great South Bay Brewery in Bayshore is hosting a blood drive in honor of Anayah, a local 8-year-old girl who is suffering from a rare blood disorder. The Marty Lyons Foundation - a charity that grants wishes for children ages 3-17 years old who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness - is teaming up with the brewery to promote the event. Anayah is a Marty Lyons Foundation wish child.
The event coincides with World Blood Donor Day and is being held on Monday, June 14, from 2-4pm. Anyone who donates during the “pint for a pint” blood drive will receive a voucher for a free pint of beer, which is redeemable 24 hours after donating, as well as a goodie bag from the Marty Lyons Foundation.
The New York Blood Center is coordinating the blood drive and said that this event comes at a critical time after it announced a blood emergency in the region, with a 3-day blood supply.
“The need for blood donations, especially these days, is in great demand,” said Marty Lyons, a former New York Jets football player who founded the charity in 1982. “At times, their lives depend on these blood donations.”
According to a press release about the event, roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.
COVID-19 precautions will be taken at the blood drive. People are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms.
"One pint of blood can help save up to three lives,” said Bill Davis from Great South Bay Brewery. “Being a partner of the New York Blood Center means we can contribute to the 7,500 blood donations per week needed to help countless patients.”