Crystal Windows Holds 1st Corporate Blood Drive

(L. to r.): City Councilmember Tony Avella, New York Blood Center Director Linda Levi, Dr. Millicent Sutton of the New York Blood Center and Thomas Chen, Crystal Window and Door Systems president, stressed the need for blood donations from different populations at Crystal's first corporate blood drive October 23.

Crystal Window & Door Systems focused attention on the critical need for Asian American community blood donations through a special press event held in conjunction with its first corporate blood drive on October 23. Crystal hosted the blood drive and press conference at its Flushing headquarters, 31-10 Whitestone Expwy., on behalf of the New York Blood Center, which along with New York City Councilmember Tony Avella, participated in the press meeting. Through these efforts Crystal is seeking not only to raise awareness with the Asian-American community of the need for blood donations, but also to inspire Asian-American businesses to take a leadership role through corporate blood drives.

The press conference and blood drive are part of the "Precise Match" campaign, a major effort by the New York Blood Center to increase donations from under-represented minority populations throughout the area. Although blood type is the most important factor for emergency situations, for long-term transfusion

treatments it is best to match the recipient with a blood donation from a donor with the same ethnic and racial background who has the same inherited antigens. This reduces the chance that the recipient will build up antibodies to the blood, reject the transfusion or have a bad reaction. According to the New York Blood Center, current national statistics indicate that blood donations across the country come predominantly from white middle-aged males of European heritage.

"Many people are not aware that there is a critical need for blood from different populations," Thomas Chen, Crystal Windows president, said. "Culture and language can also keep people from donating blood, as they may not be familiar with the procedure or they don't understand English. I knew Crystal would be able to help out not only with employee blood donations, but also by helping to draw the attention of the Asian-American community and businesses to this urgent need."

The press conference featured presentations by

Director Linda Levi and Dr. Millicent Sutton of the New York Blood Center on the need for greater participation in blood donation programs by Asian-American and other ethnic minority communities, and the life-saving medical value of such donations. City Councilmember Tony Avella highlighted for the attendees the value of leaders like Thomas Chen and Crystal to act as role models for the Asian-American business community and general population.

Crystal Window & Door Systems is one of the top 65 manufacturers of replacement and new construction vinyl and aluminum window and door products and high-end fenestration systems in North America. Crystal offers a full product line, rapid order-todelivery times, quality workmanship, innovative product features and outstanding value. Crystal markets products throughout the East Coast and in the Midwest. For more information about Crystal and its products, call 718-961- 7300 or visit

www.crystalwindows.com