Local Man Honors Grandfather With 50th Blood Donation

With the urgent need for blood in the New York Blood Center (NYBC) always a constant, anyone who donates a measure of their life force is doing a big mitzvah.

But if you donate, then donate some more, and then donate even more — going to great lengths to elevate the city’s constantly dwindling blood supply — you are seen as something of a Godsend, and the “Gift of Life” you give becomes doubly sweet knowing that, in doing so, you are honoring a loved one.

That is exactly what will happen April 25 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., on the second floor of Coney Island Hospital (2601 Ocean Parkway) when fourth generation Coney Island resident Todd Dobrin makes his 50

whole-blood donation and, in doing so, honors the memory and dedication of his grandfather, Sol Kaiser, who made his 200

blood donation at Coney Island Hospital.

“I’m privileged to be the second generation of multi-gallon donors who have been able to help my fellow New Yorkers,” said Dobrin. “I know that my grandfather’s donations have helped to save the lives of many of our neighbors over the years and this is a tradition I want everyone to adopt.”

For his dedication as a volunteer blood donor, Kaiser — who passed away in August 2010 at the age of 90 — was recognized by New York State Assemblyman William Colton.

The NYBC asks that, if you cannot donate then ask someone to donate for you. For more, call NYBC toll free at (800) 933-2566 or go to www.nybloodcenter.org.