Suffolk EMS Captain 'Matriarch' Remembered With Blood Drive Wednesday

CORAM, NY — Former Coram Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Captain, Judy Hellman, a matriarch for many members over her four decades of service, will be remembered with a blood drive in her honor on Wednesday.

The 75-year-old Hellmann, who served not only as EMS captain of Engine Co. 3 but also the department's treasurer, died last month from a combination of health issues.

Department officials described her loss as devastating to members in a recent Facebook post.

"Her no-nonsense demeanor, her dry sense of humor, and her willingness to always be of assistance to anyone who needed anything, especially with the new members, will be dearly missed," they wrote.

To honor her memory, the department will be joining with New York Blood Center to collect blood donations and raise awareness about the importance of giving the gift of life.

"Judy’s legacy is one of dedication to the residents in our community, and she will always be fondly remembered and appreciated for it," New York Blood Center officials wrote in a news release, adding that she was "a beloved member of the community and will be dearly missed by the fire department and their membership."

The drive in Hellman's honor will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Coram Fire Department's headquarters on Middle Country Road.

Officials said is only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation "can save multiple lives."

Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion, officials said, noting that those in need include cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.

Officials said that blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain time periods.

To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org, or call 800-688-0900.

To make an appointment at this blood drive, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit this link.

Those who cannot give blood, can also make a monetary donation by texting ‘NYBC’ to ‘20222’ to give $25.

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