By Karenlyn Barone
Caitlin was vivacious and bright, an equestrian and animal lover when she was diagnosed in 1998 with the frightful disease. She was a graduate of Lynbrook North Middle School and was scheduled to start Lynbrook High School that fall. A bone marrow transplant in February of 1999 with her father, Paul, as donor, was successful, but Caitlin contracted a virus that her body was simply not strong enough to fight. The community's call for blood became a blood drive in her memory.
On Aug. 7, the organizers of this year's drive met to make plans.
"Because of blood donations, we had Caitlin a whole year," her mother, Bridgette, told those in attendance. "Everyone knows someone who has leukemia, yet September comes and goes and while kids are getting ready to go back to school, there are other kids who are being diagnosed and hooked up to chemo for the first time."
Bridgette's efforts in her daughter's memory and those of neighbor Kevin Dowd, who took up the cause five years ago, have paid off in a big and generous way. Last year's blood drive was the most successful yet -- an astounding 512 pints of blood were donated. Since its inception, the event, which is traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend, has collected over 950 pints of blood and raised over $6,000 for leukemia research.
"The blood collected last year alone, supplied 75 percent of the blood needs on Long Island for one full week," said Dowd proudly. "This year we will also have bone marrow registry available at no cost. This is a remarkable and important event."
A blood shortage was announced at the beginning of June by Long Island Blood Services, which said there is 50 percent less blood available than there was last year. Further compromising Long Island's shortage of available blood was last week's blackout.
"Close to 2,500 whole blood donations and hundreds of platelet donations were lost since Thursday as scheduled blood drives were cut short or canceled," said Dr. Robert Jones, president and CEO of New York Blood Center in a press release.
Reportedly, only two percent of the population on Long Island donates blood, as compared to five percent nationwide
"People just don't donate or even realize that they can," said Tina Kovolisky, Long Island Blood Services.
The criteria for blood donation has, in fact, changed in recent years. Now, even diabetics can donate blood, with just their platelets being restricted. And, if it has been five years since the last chemotherapy treatment, people with certain forms of cancer may donate, as well. Bridgette, Dowd and Kovolisky encourage people to call 1-800-688-0900 to find out if they are eligible to donate blood, rather than assume they cannot. Regional Services and the New York Blood Centers have registered nurses on staff who will gladly answer any questions about becoming a donor.
"People don't realize, but, the 512 pints of blood collected last year touched over 1,500 lives," said Kovolisky.
If Dowd, who was voted Lynbrook's Citizen of the Year 2003, gets his way, this year's blood drive will surpass last year's and bring them even closer to his goal of 850 pints.
"My goal is to break the existing record set by the New York Jets in 1992," said Dowd. "I just know we can do it."
There is certainly enough community support to carry Dowd to his goal. For the past several years, St. Mary's Council of the Knights of Columbus has donated their meeting hall for the event. Balloons, Unlimited of Lynbrook has donated decorations; a local band, "No Ringo," will be providing musical entertainment; and corporate sponsors include the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce, UBSP Paine Webber and Home Depot. Members of the Hofstra University wrestling team will serve as donor escorts as friends and neighbors come together for the most worthy of causes -- saving lives.
Matthew Toy knows what that is all about. The ten-year-old Lynbrook child has secured donations of more than $10,000 for leukemia research and he signed up more than 250 donors for last year's blood drive. Admittedly, Toy has a personal agenda. He is recovering from leukemia and knows what a difference a pint makes.
"Give blood -- save a neighbor," said Dowd. "It's that simple."
The Fifth Annual Caitlin Petrou Memorial Blood Drive will take place Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 78 Hempstead Avenue, Lynbrook. For further information call Kevin Dowd at (516) 745-1888.
Guidelines for donating blood:
Age 17 - 75
Minimum weight 110 lbs.
No tattoos for the past 12 months
Bring valid identifiction and know your social security #
Eat well - (low fat)
Drink fluids
For information on donating blood, call Regional Services at the New York Blood Centers at 1-800-688-0900.
