Red Cross Donors Help Renovate and Modernize Greenwich Headquarters
Over $1 million pledged for revamp that will include new blood donation center, expanded training area
Greenwich, Conn. – The American Red Cross Metro New York North (MYNY) Chapter today announced $1 million pledged for a renovation project at its headquarters at 99 Indian Field Road. This building project is part of a $3 million PreResponder Campaign that will renovate and modernize the Greenwich Headquarters and fund mission critical solutions, while now providing blood products to those in need of transfusions, such as cancer and sickle cell patients.
“This construction project is about building our future with modern technology and communications infrastructure. This will empower our Red Cross teams as they continue to deliver critical services. From collecting lifesaving blood to supporting families after homes fires, opening shelters during storms, helping our military connect with their families or teaching lifesaving training, the work of the Red Cross extends across the community and around the world every day,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO, American Red Cross, Metro NY North Chapter.
The American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter serves Westchester County, Rockland County, Greenwich, Conn. and the West Point Military Academy. The first Greenwich Red Cross chapter was founded in 1914. The organization moved into the facility on Indian Field Road in 2002. The location of the building is ideal due to its proximity to Interstate 95, and its size allows for multiple activities to occur concurrently.
To support this project and operations, the MNYN Chapter launched the Metro NY North PreResponder campaign, led by Red Cross Board Members Heather Wise, Pamela Farr, Jeff Lombardi, and Giovanna Miller. Ms. Farr served as Board Chair during the original move in 2002 to Indian Field Road. Naming opportunities for the new Metro New York North Red Cross headquarters include the building itself as well as meeting rooms, board room and training rooms. More information is available by visiting www.redcross.org/NewMNYNHQ
To date, lead donors have pledged over $1 million in support of the project. Generous donors include:
“We must continually adapt and improve to keep the Red Cross strong and vital in our community for decades to come. With your help, we will secure this legacy and make sure we can be ready and prepared when the community needs us most,” said Heather Wise and Pamela Farr, co-chairs of the MNYN PreResponder campaign.
“The committee and board have done an enormous amount of work to create the foundation for a successful campaign, both in terms of planning and fundraising,” said Krista Coletti, Regional Chief Development Officer. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our dedicated board members, we have reached a milestone for funding the building renovation during this early stage of the campaign. As we enter the public phase of the campaign, we invite the community to join in this important project and help to fund our critical mission.”
About the Renovation
The renovation of 99 Indian Field Road will include improvements to all three floors of the facility. During construction, the Red Cross continues to provide services from its offices in Hawthorne, NY, as well as in the community.
After the renovation, the second floor will house the new blood donation center and the first and third floors will support all five lines of Red Cross service.
The third floor of the building will feature versatile workspaces for Red Cross team members that support disaster response, preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services programs, as well as daily administration.
The first floor of the building will feature the Board Room, a multi-purpose and modular space with updated technology, room for hands-on practice, and the ability to break into smaller groups for concurrent classes to happen.
The new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center will be located on the second floor of the building. The donation center will include eight permanent beds for the collection of whole blood and platelets to complement the blood drives sponsored across the community monthly. This facility will, for the first time, allow for the collection of platelets in the greater Greenwich area.
About Platelet and Whole Blood Donations
Platelets are the clotting portion of blood and are needed for many reasons, but they are primarily given to cancer patients. These tiny cells have a very short shelf life – just five days from the time they are donated – so there is a constant, often critical, need for new and current donors to give to keep up with hospital demand for platelets. Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs platelets, and over 1 million platelet transfusions are given to patients each year.
During a platelet donation, blood is collected by a device that separates platelets, along with some plasma, from whole blood, and the remaining blood components are returned to the donor. The entire process takes about two to three hours, and donors are encouraged to relax during the donation. Platelets may be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. Every day, whole blood donations help save the lives of children and adults fighting to survive cancer, blood disorders, traumatic injuries and more. The process takes about an hour and you can donate whole blood as often as every 56 days.
