For those metalheads out there we believe there is nothing more metal than spilling blood for a good cause! \m/
I have written on this blog in the past about the importance of giving blood, and referenced my own experience donating blood after Hurricane Sandy. Jimmy Duff, the owner of Duff’s, knows how vital this is to help save lives and he supports this cause wholeheartedly. It’s a wonderful thing that he has done for the community going on five years now, and we thank him for that. Hopefully, this year’s drive will be a success with good participation. Also, you get to hang out at a cool bar listening to great metal tunes. It’s a win-win all around! I will be there rolling up my sleeve for sure!
The details – On Thursday, February 6th, Duff’s in Brooklyn NYC we’ll be hosting their 5th annual blood drive in conjunction with The New York Blood Center. The blood drive starts at 6:30PM so please try to get there early (the drive runs until 11 PM), and bring identification with photo or signature. All donors will be served complimentary refreshments and will receive a free Duff’s blood drive t-shirt (shirt image is above) that is custom designed for this year’s event. Also, it’s in blood red! How metal is that?
I asked head Metal-Meister, Duff’s Owner, and all around good guy Jimmy Duff a few questions related to the upcoming drive.
1- What made you want to start the blood drive with New York Blood Center? How did Duff’s get involved with them?
“We’ve been involved with a number of charities over the years ( VH1 Save The Music Foundation, American Cancer Society, Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund, North Shore Animal League) so any time something comes along that I feel is a good fit for the bar, and we can make a decent contribution, we’re in. The drive was initially suggested by Jason Orlic, who has been involved with the New York Blood Center for years. Again, it was a good fit, so Duff’s was in. Jason is still heavily involved in our drives, and is instrumental to making it happen.”
2 – This is the 5th blood drive Duff’s has sponsored. How have past drives gone and what kind of support can you expect for this one?
“All four previous drives have gone very well, or as well as can be expected. This time of the year is a little difficult with the weather, but we always have a good turnout. In terms of actual donors, it does vary due to people not knowing about body weight limits, and especially in our case, time elapsed since their last tattoo. Anyone who makes the effort to give blood gets a free shirt regardless.”
3 – Is giving blood the most metal thing one can do?
“Any questions regarding what is “most metal” should always be referred to MANOWAR for a proper answer !! As a business owner, I feel that it’s important to try to give back to the community, especially with one that caters to the much maligned metal crowd. The point being is that Metal folk are some of the coolest, tight knit people around, and given the right avenues, they will contribute like no one else. The pit is the perfect analogy – If you fall down, you don’t get crushed, there’s always someone there to pick you up.”
Find out more about the New York Blood Center, including donor eligibility requirements here: Welcome to New York Blood Center
As quoted by the Blood Center – “Donating blood is literally giving the gift of life. Each day, patients in our regions need close to 2,000 people a day to roll up their sleeves to give the gift of life. There is simply no substitute for voluntarily donated blood. Without volunteer donors, our community would not have an adequate community blood supply.”
“The goal this year is 30 pints! We can do it! And each pint can save 3 lives!”
Please help in saving lives by spilling blood at Duff’s and take a few minutes to sign up through the Blood Center link below. Please use the following link to sign up for your time slot to give. The time you sign up for is not too rigid so come by whenever you can.
https://
So, if you are in the area and have nothing to do on Thursday night Feb 6th, or really are busy but can spare an hour or so, head on over to Duff’s and partake in something worthwhile to help out others. It’s a terrific bar with a great owner, awesome bartenders, and head banging metal playing non-stop. I raise a beer in your honor to all who give! Reign in Blood! \m/
168 Marcy Avenue
Between South 5th and Broadway, Williamsburg
J,M,Z train to Broadway and a quick walk over!
Holy smoke!
The guy on the t-shirt looks like one of the photos I posted yesterday!
Good luck getting a lot of blood!
Hey Fearless!
I am sure plenty of blood will be spilled that night! I’ll be banging my head too!
Rock on!
Love it. Hope you get lots of blood (did I just say that?). I’ve given blood, platelets and am in the Bone Marrow registry. Wish more people understood just how easy and painless the whole process is.
Hey Karen!
Thanks! It’s a great thing to do, and it is pretty easy. I know some people freak out at needles and stuff, but just think of the snacks and drinks they give out afterwards! Now hand me a stack of Oreos and I’m a happy metalhead!
Catchy theme- Great Cause.
Hey Peggy!
So glad you liked! It is a terrific cause that more people should participate in. Easy to do too and always needed.
What a great cause! Roll up your sleeve for a donation!
Hey Susie!
I will have that needle in my arm and banging my head while giving blood! It’s a good thing to do! \m/
aww yay Jimmy! this is such a great thing!
Hey Kristy!
One of my fav bars with the greatest music too!
Good cause, Phil. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving!
Hey Patricia!
It really is and more people should take the time to give blood!
Very cool and worthy cause. Reminds me I’m overdue to donate. Shirt is pretty awesome, too!
Hey Mother!
Yeah, Duff’s gives out some cool swag for this great cause!
Great cause! I’m o-neg so I always donated when I could back in the states. Awesome of you to help promote this.
Hey Deanna!
Thanks! I’m O+ so anyone can have my blood! \m/
I like this blood rush. Everyone should do it because you never know where or when disaster will strike and it might be you lying in a hospital bed needing more blood one day. Pay if forward (I think that’s what they say).
Give Jimmy a good pat on the back from me, the next time you see him. Have a good weekend.
Hey Rum Punch!
It’s so true, as when a disaster happens the blood supply runs critically low. One pint can and will save lives! I always support this cause.
That’s a great cause. I happy to see people give. People get so scared to do it and it doesn’t hurt.
Hey Becca!
It’s just a pinch, right? I actually like watching the bag fill up with blood. I think I might be a vampire.
Great initiative and good that you share this important event on your blog. More people should donate blood! Love the cool T-shirt by the way.
Hey Mitzie!
Thanks so much! It’s a great thing to do and more people shoiuld give blood everywhere. Yeah, I want that shirt!
Great cause! My sister donates blood and platelets all the time. Hubby donates blood in exchange for movie tickets. Me? I don’t, but only because the last time I tried, I was told I’m mildly anemic. 🙂
Hey Kitt!
It’s good to see that your family helps out. It’s a super nice thing to do and so worthwhile!
Awesome cause! Wish I could fly out to join you, drop some blood and have a few drinks, probably not the best combo of airplane, giving blood, then drinking, but I’m sure it would make for some great STORIES.
Hey Joy!
That sounds like a fun ride to me! After I give and have a few Oreos I am surely gonna have a few beers!
Phil this is great that you are promoting giving blood. This is something I believe in and we need a lot more people to do it. I wish you every success with this promotion.
As for heavy metal, I’ll have to leave that with you. Not my type of music, sorry.
Hey Guy!
Thanks! I have donated blood in the past. It’s a great cause.
Hey, everyone has their musical tastes. I like to bang my head!
That is a great initiative & it makes me happy to know that you support this sort of causes through your blog Phil… Keep it up as you are making a difference !
Cheers;
Aquileana 🙂
Hey Aquileana!
I appreciate the nice comment! I try my best to support a few good causes out there.
Love it when organizations get involved in their community like this. And it’s so great that you take the time to help them promote it. Hope the drive was successful.
Hey Suzanne!
It was a success! Always nice to support a good cause such as this.