The East Meadow community came together on July 26 to help address a critical blood shortage while honoring the memory of one of its most dedicated volunteers.
The East Meadow Fire Department, in partnership with the New York Blood Center, collected 71 pints of blood during its annual blood drive at department headquarters. The donations are expected to help save up to 213 lives at a time when blood supplies throughout New York remain at emergency levels. The event drew 63 registered donors, including nine first-time New York Blood Center donors.
This year's blood drive carried special meaning as it was dedicated to the memory of Carol Gyss-Gravely, a longtime East Meadow volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician and registered nurse who died at age 64 following a motor vehicle accident in Florida on Jan. 24.
The drive was coordinated by Second Assistant Chief John O'Brien Jr., who said maintaining an adequate blood supply is an essential community service.
"It's very important to maintain our blood bank so when blood is needed, it's always available to the people that need it," O'Brien said.
Gyss-Gravely spent decades serving East Meadow in a variety of roles. As a teenager, she joined the East Meadow Fire Department's Junior Fire Company before becoming active in the Ladies Auxiliary, where she later served two terms as president. She also joined Rescue Company No. 5 as an emergency medical technician, dedicating years to responding to emergencies and caring for neighbors in need.
It was through the fire department that she met her future husband, Fire-Medic David Gravely. Together they raised their son, David Charles, while continuing their commitment to public service.
Outside the fire department, Gyss-Gravely built a distinguished 40-year nursing career. A registered cardiothoracic nurse, she earned associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing and became known for her compassion and dedication to her patients before retiring.
Those who knew her remembered not only her commitment to helping others but also the smile she carried wherever she went. A lifelong East Meadow resident, Gyss-Gravely was also one of the community's first newspaper delivery girls before beginning her decades of volunteer service.
"As a department, we're always community oriented," former Chief Peter Cheswick said. "I donate because I want to give back to the community."
According to the New York Blood Center, 54 of the donations were whole blood donations, while nine were Alyx double red cell donations, allowing two units of red blood cells to be collected from a single donor.
Fire department officials said every donation made in Gyss-Gravely's memory continues the work she devoted her life to — caring for people during their greatest times of need.
On behalf of Chief Kurt Becker and Assistant Chiefs Jeffrey Rosenthal, John O'Brien Jr. and Edward Licciardo, the department thanked its members and the East Meadow community for their strong turnout and continued commitment to helping save lives.
Additional reporting by Jay Zinger & John J. O’Brien Sr.
