Blood Drive Planned In Honor Of 4-Year-Old Suffolk Boy With Leukemia

CORAM, NY — New York Blood Center is hosting a blood drive at the Coram Fire Department's headquarters on Thursday in honor of a four-year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Leonardo Portillo of Coram is being treated at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which affects his white blood cells, so he has needed numerous blood transfusions, according to the center. His family and the fire department are hoping that the blood drive will encourage blood donations for those who need them, officials said.

As the chronic blood shortage continues, the blood center is encouraging all who are eligible in the community to donate blood and save a life because hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of donors, according to officials.

One blood donation alone can save up to three lives, officials said.

The event will run from 1 to 7 p.m.

The blood center is taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. People are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, or flu-like symptoms.

More information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions can be found by clicking here.