Droves of Volunteers Participate in Blood Drive for Wounded Officer

There wasn't a single vacant parking space available Monday afternoon at the , as volunteers filed in to donate blood for wounded police officer .

The Central Blood Bank hosted the first of two scheduled drives for Kuzak, 39, a patrolman with the Clairton Police Department who was shot while responding to a call last week.

On the evening of April 4, Kuzak was called to a reported home invasion at a residence in Clairton, where he was shot three times by fleeing suspects. He was transported by ambulance to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he underwent surgery to stabilize his conditions, according to a press release issued by The Central Blood Bank.

"Kuzak lost half the blood in his body and required numerous transfusions to replace the volume of blood lost," the release continued. "Two bullets remain in Kuzak's body, and future surgery is anticipated. He will likely need more blood during these surgeries."

Kuzak had previously served as an officer in both Peters and Cecil townships.

The drive in Peters began at noon, and within an hour the fire department was full of donors. Volunteers will be at the site until 7 p.m. For more information on donating there, call Noel McMullen at 724-941-4176.

The organization will hold the second drive from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Clairton Fire Department on Ravensburg Boulevard. For more information on that drive, call Becky Eichler at 412-233-8123.

Those who cannot attend either blood drive, but who would like to participate, may call 866-366-6771 to schedule an appointment with The Central Blood Bank. More information is also available on the organization's website here.