Blood Drive for 10-year-old Ryan at Garrison Firehouse on August 1
Son of Rachel of the Garrison Post Office

Across New York State and around the country scores of children suffer from leukemia. In order to stay alive these children need blood transfusions. One such boy is Ryan Blake, whose Mom, Rachel, works at the Garrison Post Office on Route 9D in Garrison.

Ryan, who last weekend threw out the first pitch at a Renegades game, is a 10-yearold with Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (A.L.L). Ryan, attends JV Forrestal Elementary School in Beacon. Hes loves video games and can play the expert level of guitar hero without watching the screen. (if you know anything about guitar hero-that's pretty impressive). When Ryan heard that he was to be honored at the Renegades game and would be throwing out the first pitch, he thought for a moment and said to his Dad "wow - this is shaping up to be some month - I get to do the Make a Wish Foundation trip and now this!"

Last year Ryan was diagnosed with A.L.L and is receiving care at the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital of Westchester Medical Center. His treatment has included numerous transfusions of whole blood and platelets. Ryan's Mom would have you know that the care her son has received has been outstanding in every way. Ryan would have you know that he can make the nurses laugh-even when he's throwing up!

Ryan's family knows first hand the importance of donating blood and would like to thank everyone who supports this mission in any way.

On Friday August 1, 2008 the New York Blood Center and the volunteers of the Philipstown Community Drive will be running a blood drive in honor of Ryan and all the other children and their parents who have and continue to suffer the horrors of this childhood disease. NY Blood Center staff will be accommodating donors between 2:30pm and 8pm on August 1 at the firehouse, which is located on Route 9 just a mile north of Graymoor and directly across the road from the Garrison Garage .

Only 2% of eligible New Yorkers donate blood and no one has been able to determine why that percentage is so low. Nationally the number is still small but climbs to 5%. All potential donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment and can do so by emailing Del Fidanque, Chairman of the Philipstown Community Blood Drives, at dfidanque@attglobal.net.

If you have a medical question you can call the NY Blood Center at 800/688-0900 Monday Friday between 9am and 5pm. All those who have already made the decision to donate should make sure that they drink plenty of fluids two days leading up to the drive and increase their iron levels by eating raisins, nuts and green leafy vegetables. Anyone in good health, 17 or older, is eligible to donate. Sixteen-yearolds can donate with parental permission.