A smiling 3-year-old with bright eyes and a playful spirit is inspiring people to roll up their sleeves and help save lives.
Olivia “Liv” Schaaf, described by her family as a smart, playful and loving little girl, was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. The daughter of Courtney and Donny Schaaf, chief of the Yaphank Fire Department, Liv now faces an extensive course of treatment and recovery.
In her honor, the Department’s Ladies Auxiliary and Assemblyman Joe DeStefano are hosting a blood drive Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yaphank Firehouse on Main Street. Organizers say the effort is centered on supporting patients like Liv while helping meet the ongoing need for blood donations across New York.
Hospitals statewide require roughly 2,300 pints of blood every day. Demand often increases during summer months and holidays, and supplies of rare blood types, including O negative, B negative and A negative, are especially critical. A single donation can save up to three lives.
At the collection site, trained specialists guide donors through the process. Using apheresis technology, blood components are separated, gently rocked to prevent clotting, chilled, and transported for testing and distribution to hospitals statewide. The New York Blood Center operates 24 hours a day, ensuring blood is available whenever patients need it.
Susan Callis, a team leader with 36 years of experience at the center, said regular donations are essential. “Blood expires quickly,” Callis said. “That’s why it’s critical to give every day. Without community donations, countless patients would go without the treatment they need. Every donation, no matter the blood type, is a gift of life.”
Assemblyman DeStefano said the day is about rallying around Liv and others fighting serious illness. “When our community comes together like this, it truly saves lives,” he said. Residents are encouraged to make an appointment, bring identification, and donate in Liv’s honor.