The 5th annual Andrew’s Army Blood Drive and Basket Raffle to benefit Upstate New York Transplant Services (Unyts) is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Alden High School from 8 am-3 pm. You need not donate blood to attend the raffle.
You can make an appointment to donate blood by visiting https://www.unytsblooddonor.org/.
If interested in donating a basket raffle item, you may drop it off at the Alden Advertiser (13200 Broadway) or contact the Gramza family 572-3672/lgramza@daemen.edu. There are typically close to 200 baskets that appeal to all ages and include a variety of gift certificates for local businesses.
Andrew Gramza was a graduate of Alden High School and on October 20, 2010 was in a traffic accident. He spent two weeks in the ECMC Trauma unit where he received numerous blood transfusions before succumbing to his injuries.
His family felt the need to give back and hosted the first blood drive and basket raffle in 2011; 124 units of blood were collected.
The second drive in 2012 resulted in the donation of 183 units of blood.
In 2013, over 200 baskets and gift certificates were donated by family, friends, and community businesses. In addition, 181 units of blood were collected and the basket raffle/donations and sponsors brought in $11,109 for Unyts to promote eye, tissue, blood, and organ donations.
Last year, the event yielded 183 units of blood and $12,237 for Unyts.
As of this date, total donations made by Andrew’s Army to Unyts is $82,409 and 1,484 units of blood (helping 4,452 patients in WNY). Blood drives and fund raisers are held throughout the year.
Andrew was the son of Lori (Weisbeck) and Dale Gramza, sister of Larissa Gramza, grandson of Leonard and the late Betty Weisbeck and Mitch and Elaine Gramza.
