Blood drive supports 2 local boys battling cancers

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center) with Vinny and Jordan, two young friends who are battling childhood cancer. Vinny (front row, center left) is shown with his family and Schwarting Principal Jennifer Thearle. Jordan (front row, center right) is shown with his family.

The Town of Oyster Bay recently supported a community blood drive hosted by the New York Blood Center in honor of two brave, young boys battling childhood cancer. The friends, Vinny and Jordan of Massapequa, approached the New York Blood Center to coordinate this drive as a way of supporting of other children battling the disease.

The children are schoolmates at Schwarting Elementary School in Plainedge. Vinny is 11-years-old and was diagnosed with a rare tumor in his kidney. He completed 31 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, and has needed close to 30 blood and platelet transfusions. Jordan is 10-years-old and was diagnosed with Leukemia. He will receive 2 ½ years of intensive chemotherapy treatment.

“Jordan and Vinny are brave young men that despite their own health concerns, are putting others first by hosting this blood drive and collecting 175 pints of blood for cancer patients like themselves,” said

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Just one pint of blood can help save three lives. This means over 500 cancer patients are going to receive the gift of life from this incredible drive alone.”

To help further support the cause, please visit www.vinnysarmy.com.