New York Blood Center (NYBC) is honored to announce the launch of The Heather McNamara Leadership and Blood Donation Advocacy Scholarship, which recognizes excellence and outstanding community service to the organization.
Heather McNamara was a lifelong friend of NYBC and a tireless advocate for blood donations. She often attended NYBC events and spoke with local media to share her story as a blood recipient who relied on transfusions throughout her courageous battle with cancer. This $2,500 annual scholarship will honor Heather’s memory by recognizing individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and dedication to saving lives by promoting the importance of blood donation through personal advocacy or organizing impactful community service initiatives. Two scholarships totaling $5,000 will be bestowed in this inaugural year, the second announced in spring 2025.
In keeping with Heather and the McNamara family’s tradition of giving back to the community, the scholarship will be launched, and the first recipient will be recognized at a press event and blood drive in Heather’s honor at the Islip Terrace Fire Department on December 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Heather relied on blood transfusions throughout her cancer diagnosis, starting with her historic surgery, and continued to require transfusions throughout the endless follow-up surgeries and hospitalizations she endured over the years. The blood drive and scholarship announcement coincide with Giving Tuesday and Heather’s birthday month. The family is asking the community to donate blood and to pay it forward to help save 3 lives with your donation.
“It is NYBC’s privilege to establish this annual scholarship to honor Heather’s enormous impact and enduring legacy,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center. “Heather was a faithful partner to NYBC in our mission to save lives; she understood the importance of blood donation and carried out this mission through her work as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).”
“Heather was always the first to help someone in need,” added Doreen Fiscina, Business Development Manager at New York Blood Center and longtime friend of the McNamara family. “Our community is at a great loss, but Heather’s memory will continue to live on, not only through all that she did throughout her life but also through what her family continues to do in her memory. She will be forever remembered at NYBC and in the New York community as a difference maker, a lifesaver, a courageous leader, and a fierce advocate for blood donation.”
Invited media will be able to capture remarks from Heather’s family, the first scholarship recipient, NYBC representatives and Islip Terrace Fire Department officials. There will also be opportunities to secure interviews and film donor activities at the drive.
WHO:
- Michele Lariviere, NYBC Senior Director of Donor Recruitment
- Yadira Navarro, NYBC Director of Community and Stakeholder Relations
- Doreen Fiscina, NYBC Business Development Manager
- Members of the Islip Terrace Fire Department
- Joe and Tina McNamara, Heather’s parents
- Stephanie McNamara, Heather’s sister
WHEN: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 12:30 pm (Drive runs from 12 noon to 9 pm)
WHERE: Islip Terrace Fire Department, 264 Beaver Dam Road-Main Meeting Room, Islip Terrace, NY 11752
WHY: To celebrate the launch of NYBCE’s Heather McNamara Leadership and Blood Donation Advocacy Scholarship and to pay it forward in memory of Heather.
It only takes one hour to donate blood, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions requires 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.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
For more information and to make an appointment for this drive, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still support NYBC’s mission by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.
For more information about The Heather McNamara Leadership and Blood Donation Advocacy Scholarship, including eligibility criteria and how to contribute, visit:
Donate to Giving Tuesday - The Heather McNamara Leadership and Blood Donation Advocacy Scholarship
About New York Blood Center
Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the tri-state area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 150+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. NYBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biomedical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. NYBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit nybc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.