Blood drive honors injured New York state police officer

LOCKPORT, NY (WKBW) – New York State Police held a blood drive in support of Sgt. Sam Mattina. Last month, Mattina was seriously injured after being hit by a car while riding his patrol motorcycle.

“He received numerous blood transfusions. He also had numerous surgeries,” said Heather Harper of Connect Life.

Harper tells 7 News Mattina received many blood donations during a long hospital stay after the accident in the town of Porter. That situation inspired his state police family to pay for the blood that saved their coworker’s life.

“We’re doing a blood drive for Sam Mattina,” said Sgt. Joesph Krywalski said. “Anything that can give back. (The community) has been great for Sam, so we want to help the community.”

Connect Life hosted the blood drive at the Lockport State Trooper Station, donors came from all over, from Mattina’s co-workers to community members.

In total, more than 60 people donated blood. On top of that, Sgt. Mattina himself appeared.

Sergeant. mattina — Sergeant. Mattina made a surprise appearance at the blood drive on Sunday afternoon.

Mattina is in a wheelchair and with a boot on her right leg, but her presence alone makes the positivity shine at the station.

“It’s huge to have him around, every day he has a smile on his face, even when he’s going through all this. You see it, it lights up and it makes you light up,” Krywalski said. “To go through something like that and be able to recover in the time it has been great.

Anyone who wants to help Sgt. Mattina’s cause and donate blood themselves can do it in connectlife.org.