Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart and Rhodes, P.C. sponsored American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter Give n' Take Blood Drive Drive Deemed a Success with 178 Life Saving Units Collected!

Glens Falls, New York (December 31, 2009): Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart and Rhodes, P.C. partnered with the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter to sponsor a very special blood drive on December 28, 2009. The blood drive was held at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls.

The "Give the Gift of Life" Blood Drive is part of the Red Cross' "Give 'n Take" campaign as we collaboratively feature the stories of local recipients and donors at these particular blood drives. The goal of this particular blood drive was to collect 150 units of blood which could potentially save up to 450 lives. At the end, 178 units were collected!

Like our previous "Give 'n Take" Blood Drive, featured two (2) honorary members during this drive:
1) Josh Bitter, a local blood recipient and cancer survivor; and, 2) Stefanie DiLallo Bitter, Principal Attorney for Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart and Rhodes, P.C, Josh's spouse and blood donor.

Their story of courage, love and triumph reads like storybook. But real life the Bitter's credit blood donations for helping save Josh's life. On March 30, 2006, when Stefanie was 9 months pregnant and expecting their first child, Madylin, Josh went to visit a Urologist due to experiencing pro longed pain. That day he learned that he had testicular cancer. Only five days after Josh had his surgery they welcomed their first child, Madylin. Fifteen days after her birth Josh started radiation therapy. Within eighteen months and massive amounts of radiation, a CAT scan revealed cancerous activity in Josh's lung and doctor's immediately set him up with chemotherapy. Josh began to receive blood transfusions to keep his blood levels normal so that he can continue chemotherapy.

"I remember sitting there watching Josh receive blood for the first time and I thought how it had been at least 13 years since I had last given blood. That I used to give blood in high school and college all the time. I just felt I was too busy to take the time. I realized sitting there that someone, unknown to me took the time out of their busy schedule to help save my husband. I then vowed I would do the same for someone else." said Stefanie. On November 11, 2009, Josh celebrated his first anniversary cancer free. "We have learned not to assume anymore, which may be hard. But more importantly we have learned to try not to take for granted the good times that we have in the present. concluded Stefanie.

"This drive is a perfect example to encourage new donors to come forth and save a life. Josh's story clearly shows how precious life is and Stefanie's commitment to her spouse and to others who are in need of this life saving gift further states how someone, how an organization can help the lives of those in need. Together, we can make this a New Year's resolution that can mean more than one realizes", said Eileen Reardon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.

There is a need for blood each and every day of the year. By giving blood now, you are helping to ensure this precious gift is on-hand for patients like Josh Bitter who need your help to survive cardiac arrest, an accident, or illness. We all depend on this perishable resource. Blood is an emergency medicine and must always be readily available.

Some facts about blood donation:

• just one pint of blood can help save as many as three lives;
• approximately every two seconds, someone in America needs blood;
• About 34,000 donations are needed every day to help save the lives of cancer patients, accident victims, and children with blood disorders in the United States;
• approximately one out of three people will need blood in their lifetime;
• type O negative blood can help anyone during an emergency when there is no time to test a patient's blood type; and,
• you can make a whole blood donation every 56 days.

For more information, please visit our website redcrossadirondacksaratoga.org. We are now on Facebook under the name Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga and also on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/arcadirondacksaratogachapter.

About Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewarts and Rhodes, P.C.
Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart and Rhodes, P.C. is a highly respected law firm with a strong tradition of providing excellent legal services in upstate New York. Established more than 60 years ago, Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes, P.C. is one of the largest law firms between Albany and the Canadian border in northeastern New York. They have an office in Glens Falls and Ticonderoga.

About the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter
The American Red Cross, Adirondack Saratoga Chapter is dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors with 250 other volunteers and 10 paid employees, the local Red Cross is supported by community donations and provides services to Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton and southern Essex Counties. Last year the Red Cross ran 650 aquatic courses and 1048 first aid and CPR courses, collected over 19,000 units of whole blood, helped deliver 303 emergency messages for members of our armed forces, and assisted more than 1,250 neighbors who were affected by local disasters. For more information, visit redcrossadirondacksaratoga.org.