Glen Cove's first responders tackle a national blood supply crisis

It’s not often you have the opportunity to do something simple that can save another person’s life, but that’s what occurs every time you donate blood. That’s something volunteer firefighter Pete Prudente knows all too well. An advocate for blood donations, he helped to organize the Glen Cove Fire Department’s bi-annual blood drive on Oct. 1.
“Blood and blood products are a much needed commodity for all,” Prudente said. “With tragic accidents and illnesses, I try my best to keep supply with demand. You never know when you may need it.”
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. That need was recently amplified when the American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage in September and called on Americans of all blood types to donate blood to help improve the country’s critically low supply.