The American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter unveiled its state-of-the art, renovated headquarters in Greenwich Conn. This $3 million building project modernized the entre facility and put in place the brand-new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center, which will provide blood products to those in need of transfusions, such as cancer and sickle cell patients. “This construction project was about building our future with modern technology and a new 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 U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The first Greenwich Red Cross chapter was founded in 1914. The organization moved into the facility on Indian Field Road in 2002.
About the Renovation
The renovation of 99 Indian Field Road includes improvements to all three floors of the facility. During construction, the Red Cross continued to provide services from its offices in Hawthorne, NY, as well as in the community.
The second floor houses the new blood donation center and the first and third floors support other Red Cross programs and services: disaster response, preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services programs, as well as daily administration.
The first floor of the building features 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 third floor of the building features versatile workspaces for Red Cross team members.
The new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center is located on the second floor of the building.
The center includes eight permanent beds for the collection of whole blood and platelets to complement the blood drives sponsored across the community monthly. This facility opened for blood donors the week of September 13th. It will eventually allow for the collection of platelets. This would be a first for platelet collection in the area.
About Whole Blood and Platelet Donations
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.
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 eachyear.
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.
To schedule a blood donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
About the Metro NY North PreResponder campaign
To support this project, the Red Cross launched the Metro NY North PreResponder campaign, led by Red Cross Board Members Heather Wise, Pam Farr, and Giovanna Miller. Ms. Farr served as Board Chair during the original move in 2002 to Indian Field Road.
Naming opportunities for the Metro New York North Red Cross Chapter headquarters include the building itself as well as meeting rooms, board room and training rooms.
The organization has also announced a “Brick Campaign.” First initiated in 2002, the original bricks are located at the entrance to the building and additional commemorative bricks are available to the public for $500.
More information about the Brick Campaign 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:
