East Meadow Mom to Donate Blood in Honor of Her Son

Kathy Peranzo, 59, of East Meadow will donate blood at North Shore University Hospital's new donor room on Wednesday in honor of her son Philip, who died of colon cancer in 2006.

Since the time of her son's passing, Peranzo has donated two bags of platelets each month. She also volunteers at the hospital, which is located in Manhasset, distributing pamphlets about the importance of platelet and blood donation. Her goal is to donate as many platelets as her son received during his hospitalization at North Shore.

Peranzo's son was 32-years-old when he died of cancer. The husband and father was also an athlete and a coach.  It was during a routine exam in 2004 that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 30.

In February of 2006, Philip and his family were vacationing in Puerto Rico. After complaining of terrible stomach pains, he returned home. An operation in April revealed that he had only weeks to live.

 “He fought hard,” Peranzo said, “For his wife, his 3-year-old son, and their soon-to-be-born baby.”

Philip's second child was born two days before he died.

Peranzo said that she wants to inspire others to donate blood and wants to build awareness of the importance of doing so.

Perazno will donate blood in the new Blood Donor Room of  North Shore University Hospital at 300 Community Drive on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.