Avenue L Blood Drive "Surpasses Average"

Members of Avenue L Merchants Association, Assemblyman Alan Maisel and Maimonides Hospital personnel.

The special blood donor drive last Saturday on Avenue L "surpassed the average" in donors, according to officials of Maimonides Medical Center, who supplied technical help.

Sponsored by the Avenue L Merchants Association (ALMA), the drive was held "simply because we wanted to let people know there is a big need for blood right now, and we thought we should do our part to help," said Mercedes Narcisse, president of the ALMA. Rev. Keith Jackman supplied space for the event, which ran from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Before the drive, ALMA spokesperson Emily James said, "Our goal is to get the community to come out and give blood because we know the importance of having blood in a 'bank.' It's a very good cause and all the merchants here want to take part in the drive because we want to lead by example," she added.

Ms. Narcisse said the association will hold another drive later in the year. Photos by Bennett Silverman

Diego Remy contributes blood with the help of phlebotomist Mohammed Azizi.

Merchants Assoc. President Mercedes Narcisse, left, assists Phlebotomist Jorge Quikles as Assemblyman Maisel does his thing. Technician Zita Durango helps Canarsien Pauline Pratt give blood. Ms. Pratt shows off that cool complimentary T-shirt.

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