By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The FDNY is joining forces with the New York Blood Center to boost the amount of blood donations in the city during the holiday season.
The NYBC will give $10 to be split up among three FDNY charities for every pint of blood donated in the city during the holiday season as part of the "Critical Days Program" starting Friday.
“With the critical days program our donors can literally extend their lifesaving gifts, all to the benefit of the three outstanding charities supported by our firefighters,” said Christopher Hillyer, President of the New York Blood Center.
Keeping up the supply of blood in the city's blood bank is a cause that's near and dear to firefighter Matt Long. Long's life was saved when he was given 68 units of blood over a 40-hour period after a bike accident four years ago.
"Besides the people that rely on blood for daily and weekly transfusions, I'm living proof that donating blood counts and helps people,” Long said.
Long was cycling to work during the 2005 MTA transit strike when his body was crushed under the tire of a 20-ton bus rented out by Bear Stearns.
Long was joined Monday by Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and several other firefighters giving blood donations to kick off the program at the FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn.
“It’s the right thing to do," said FDNY lieutenant and blood donor Mike Durkin. "It’s a small sacrifice.”
To take part in the program donors must mention the keyword "4FDNY" at the time of the blood donation at one of the NYBC's New York and New Jersey donation centers.
The program ends on Jan. 14.
