KINGS POINT, N.Y., - August 18, 2015. The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point held its first blood drive of 2014 yesterday, breaking the Academy’s previous donation record by 100 units.

USMMA, in partnership with Long Island Blood Services, hosts three blood drives each year. Over the course of the day 318 units were collected. This latest event easily broke USMMA’s April 2014 record of 218 units and is the largest number of donations ever collected in one day since USMMA began hosting the LI Blood Services Blood Drives over 10 years ago.

“A lot of lives will be saved thanks to your donations,” said Mr. Rick Sager, Administrator for Midshipmen Health & Emergency Medical Services. He thanked all who participated, including faculty, staff, midshipmen (MIDN), and individuals from the local community. He said, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding efforts of the Midshipmen Health & Emergency Services Staff, especially our EMS Officers, MIDN Max Berdel, MIDN John Eady, MIDN Weston Iannone, and MIDN Devin Malamphy. A very special recognition goes to Admiral Helis, Admiral Dunlap, and the outstanding support received from our Acting Commandant, CAPT DeStafney, CDR McCarthy and all the Company Officers.”