Community leaders aim to end blood shortages across Connecticut, encouraging residents to donate once per season in 2024
MIDDLETOWN, CT – Connecticut Blood Center (CTBC) has teamed up with elected officials and hospital leaders to celebrate National Blood Donor Month, encouraging blood donations and aiming to end blood shortages in the region. A joint press conference will be held on Thursday, January 4th at 10:00am at our Middletown Donor Center (856 Washington Street (Staples Plaza), Middletown, CT, 06457). Several community leaders are slated to speak.
More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month. The annual observance is meant to honor voluntary blood donors and encourage more people to give blood at a time when more blood is needed. The weeks following the holiday season are always difficult for the blood supply as school breaks, holiday travel, seasonal illness and cold weather often contribute to fewer donations. Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors, but the past few years have brought chronic blood shortages nationwide. To combat this, community leaders are challenging residents to donate at least once per season in 2024.
Invited media will be able to film remarks from local elected officials, hospital leaders and CTBC representatives. There will also be opportunities to secure interviews and film several elected officials and hospital leaders donating blood on camera following the press conference.
WHO:
- Mayor Ben Florsheim, Mayor of Middletown, CT
- Sen. Matt Lesser, Connecticut State Senator
- Giuseppe Mignosa, System Director of Laboratory Services, Hartford Healthcare
- Dr. Bradford Sherburne, Medical Director, Hartford Healthcare
- Heidi Belcourt, Laboratory Manager, Hartford Hospital
- Concetta Bucko – Laboratory Manager, Hartford Hospital
- Jennifer Costanzo, Regional Director, Laboratory Services, Hartford Healthcare
- Deanna Shukis, Director Laboratory Services, Day Kimball Health
- Jennifer Pederson, Vice President, Incident and Business Continuity Officer, Liberty Bank
- Holly Callanan, CEO, Greater Hartford Association of Realtors,
- Erik Costa, Chief of Middletown Police
- Jason Bodell, Community Relations Officer, Middletown Police
- Ingrid Rivera – Director, Student Activities, Middlesex Community College
- Alex Fazzino, Top CTBC Blood Donor
- Liz Bengston, Blood Recipient
- Abbie Brouker, Abbie received blood products
- CTBC Leadership
WHEN: January 4, 2024 at 10:00am
WHERE: Connecticut Blood Center, 856 Washington Street, Middletown, CT, 06457