On Saturday, September 19, a birthday blood drive was held in memory of Jessica Uveges LoNigro. The Uveges family decorated the venue with a birthday theme, celebrating Jessica and incorporating her favorite animal: ladybugs. There were ladybug cupcakes and themed decorations as the community came together to honor Jessica. Her friends and family wore “Team Jessica” shirts for this meaningful occasion.
Nafeesah Ford, Donor Specialist I-IV, and her team successfully overcame logistical challenges to ensure the blood drive ran smoothly, providing excellent service to the Uveges-LoNigro family and the 129 donors who attended in Jessica’s memory.
Jessica Uveges LoNigro was a teacher at Walter M. Schirra Elementary School and a lifelong resident of Old Bridge. She also served as the cheerleading coach at Jonas Salk Middle School. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 33 from lupus. Since Jessica’s passing in 2014, her family has worked tirelessly to ensure that others have access to the same resources she had. They have been hosting two blood drives each year in her memory.
Thanks to these drives, more than 2,100 units of blood have been provided to patients in need. Her community continues to show strong support in honoring Jessica and celebrating her life.
Special thanks to Rosana Tabakci, who organizes this successful event each year, and to every New York Blood Center department that collaborates to make it happen.