NY Hockey Gives Blood Initiative

Utica Comets organize blood drive at the Adirondack Bank Center

Back at the adirondack bank center today to help assist state hospitals.

Newschannel2's chelsea sherrod has the story.

Chelsea: american hockey league rivalries were put to the side today in order to give back to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic -- for the first time in over a month, utica comets fans were able to step foot into adirondack bank center.

Because of the bew york hockey gives blood initiative.

Where the four new york state american hockey league teams joined forces to organize blood drives in their communities.

Pamela maring: it's so great to be back inthe r season ticket seats are straight above so to be able to look at the seats to be in the building is always great.

The support is contagious.

Last month, the utica comets created "puck the virus" t- shirts to fundraise for their part-time employees who were financially affected by the suspension of the season.

David bo- har-nis who donated blood is one of them.

David beauharnois: no it's great we're not owned by this massive organization so it's great that they're doing something to help make sure people are still getting paid i was just talking how it's kind of sad that we're missing out on these games i keep getting the calendar alerts on my phone.

While the coronavirus pandemic has forced some blood drive cancellations, the new york hockey gives blood initiative also keeps people employed and active like andy meacham.

A volunteer truck driver for the red cross.

Andy meacham: my job is i pick up the blood at the blood drive throughout central new york and i take all the blood out to the process center in west henrietta i normally volunteer about 3 to 4 days a week so some weeks i only work one day.

And if you missed today's blood drive and you want to find out when there will be another one you can visit redcrossblood.org.

Here at the adirondack bank center im chelsea sherrod newschannel2.

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