Paula Lopatosky, a Southington resident, is hosting her ninth annual blood drive at Grace United Methodist Church at 121 Pleasant St, Southington CT in honor of Plainville residents Daniela and Matteo Ciriello on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m.
Daniela is six years old and was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia (Cooley’s Anemia) when she was 14 months old. Daniela needs blood transfusions every three weeks to manage her condition.
Matteo is two years old and was also diagnosed at 14 months with the same condition. Fortunately, Matteo’s condition is being treated with medication right now but he may require blood transfusions in the future.
“I am very passionate about hosting these blood drives in honor of Daniela and Matteo,” said Lopatosky. “I always knew it was important to donate blood, but now that I know the Ciriello family, it has become personal, and I really understand how important donating blood is. Every donated pint of blood saves three lives. Every time Daniela gets a blood transfusion, someone saved her life.”
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