Blood drive started by Peters Township woman continues for ninth year
After Nancy Tray’s newborn daughter needed dozens of blood transfusions, she has been dedicated to paying it forward.
The day before Thanksgiving, Tray will host the ninth annual Maddalena Tray Blood Drive, named for her daughter, at the Peters Township Public Library.
Maddalena was born Feb. 6, 2017, and needed 40 blood transfusions following her birth.
“Unfortunately, we never got an answer to what happened,” Nancy Tray said, adding that doctors immediately took Maddalena from the delivery room when she was not making any noise. “We, to this day, have no idea what happened to her.”
Through Vitalant, Tray was able to host a blood drive before Maddalena’s first birthday. She said she was driven to become involved after learning less than 10% of those eligible to donate blood do so.
“It became a passion for me … There were times when the nurses would come to us and say we don’t have any blood in the hospital that she needs. That just made me sick to my stomach,” Tray said.
According to Maya Santana, a Vitalant spokesperson, The Maddalena Tray Blood Drive has received 223 pints of blood from donors.
Santana notes that volunteers like Tray hosting blood drives in their communities help keep donations coming, particularly during the busy holiday season.
“It’s essential. Working with Nancy is a privilege,” Santana said. “These blood drives are crucial for maintaining a safe and steady blood supply for local hospitals.”
Tray said holding the blood drive the day before Thanksgiving was initially a matter of convenience, but the proximity to the holiday has grown meaningful for her family.
“We realized it’s awesome having it around Thanksgiving because we reflect on the gratitude and how thankful we are for Maddalena being with us,” Tray said.
Tray said that Maddalena continues to deal with chronic kidney disease as a result of her turbulent birth, but is otherwise a happy and healthy 8-year-old girl.
“If you look at her, she looks fine. She’s active. She’s on a competitive hip-hop dance team. She’s spunky. She loves to hang out with the dogs and hang out with her girlfriends,” Tray said.
The Maddalena Tray Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Peters Township Public Library meeting room, located at 616 E. McMurray Road. Those interested in participating can make an appointment at vitalant.org or by calling 877-258-4825.
Vitalant also has other upcoming blood drives in the area. Center Presbyterian Church at 255 Center Church Road will host a blood drive Nov. 28, and a drive will be held Nov. 20 at the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center at 240 Wellness Way in South Strabane Township.