Man Injured In Taxi Accident Emphasizes Importance Of Blood Donation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A New York man who lost both of his legs after being hit by a taxi met the men and women who donated 75 units of blood to help save his life.
The New York Blood Center pointed to the incident as an example of how critical blood donors are. Every two seconds there is someone in the United States who needs blood.
Ariel Fishman met eight of the 70 people who helped save his life by donating blood, CBS 2's Jericka Duncan reported.
"Thank goodness. The rest of my life is going to be much longer thanks to them," Fishman said.
Fishman was hit by a taxi last year while he was dropping his kids off at school. He needed several surgeries and 75 units of blood.
The New York Blood Center brought Fishman and his donors together to emphasize the importance of blood donation.
Jaclyn Rumzie said she has been donating blood since she was 17.
"It makes you feel good. There is nothing better than the feeling to know that you helped save somebody's life," she said.
More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day in the U.S., according to the American Red Cross.
"It's a product that lasts just 42 days. It's perishable. We need a constant influx of regular blood donors," Andrea Cefarelli, Executive Director of Donor Recruitment at New York Blood Center, said.
Since his accident Fishman said he has been raising awareness.
"I had a terrible experience, but I wanted something good to come out of it," he said.
Fishman said that more than 1,000 people have donated since hearing his story.
Each pint of blood saves three lives, according to the Red Cross.
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