By: Karenlyn Barone
"Blood saved my life," he said. "I don't think people realize that it really does save lives."
Gwen and Keith Jordan understand.
"I never knew there was such a need for blood, until it touched us," said Gwen. "It takes about 20 minutes to save someone's life."
This year's blood drive was organized to benefit their daughter Isabelle Grace, 23 months-old, who succumbed to a rare form of brain cancer on August 14. The family requested the blood drive be held in her memory.
"Because of blood donations, Isabelle lived a full year," said grandfather Irwin Werbowsky. "Isabelle's friends still need it."
Lynbrook resident Kevin Dowd, has always held the life saving event in memory of Caitlin Petrou who died of leukemia in 1999, at the age of 14, just days before the inaugural blood drive she inspired. Caitlin's mother, Bridgette Dooley Petrou, remains passionately supportive and active in the drive, which collected 322 pints of blood and raised over $2,400 this year.
"This is great," beamed Dowd. "The community pulled together again and made a real difference."
Matthew's father Danny put it all in perspective.
"Instead of people seeing their blood go into a bag, if they could envision that healthy blood going into a sick child, everyone would do it."
Photos by Karenlyn Barone/Herald
Assemblyman Bob Barra was one of 322 people who donated blood at the Caitlin Petrou blood drive last weekend. Lending their support to Barra, from left to right, are blood drive organizer Kevin Dowd, Senator Dean Skelos, Danny Toy and Diane Toy.
Matthew Toy receives a kiss from sister Lauren at the conclusion of the blood drive. Matthew continues to be one of the major fundraisers at the annual event.
