Community, Police Donate At Blood Drive

Three-quarters of the way through the Clarkstown Police Department’s blood drive on Friday the goal of 60 pints had been surpassed.  The 12-hour blood drive drew the general public and members of Rockland County’s law enforcement community who came to donate in memory of Clarkstown Police Officer Terrance “Terry” McCrudden, who died in October, and also to help alleviate a blood emergency caused by Hurricane Sandy. 

By 3 p.m. on Friday, the New York Blood Center had 62 pints surpassing its original collection goal of 60 and three hours left to go.

Several of those donating Friday afternoon said they gave blood regularly and had known Officer McCrudden.  Police officers donated before and after their shifts. Clarkstown Police Officer Christian Cortelli donated before his shift began and Spring Valley Police Officer Francis Brooks made it a point to stop by after his shift. Brooks said Rockland County’s law enforcement community is small and most officers know each other. 

Michael Shumake of Nanuet said he knew McCrudden through the firehouse and made it a point to donate in his memory.

South Nyack-Grand View Police Chief Robert Van Cura also knew the 17-year police veteran. He said donating in McCrudden’s memory made the donation “a little extra special.” Van Cura expected other officers from his department to participate.

“We posted it obviously in the patrol room and encouraged officers to donate if they could,” he said.

Clarkstown Police Sgt. Joanne Fratianni, who helped organize the blood drive, said it had originally been scheduled for last week but was postponed because of the ongoing recovery from the hurricane.