Press Release submitted by Carol Hsu, Rutherford Community Blood Bank
Sue Garbe knows from first-hand experience that blood donation is “the simplest gift one can give, one that costs nothing, and yet can save so many lives and make such a difference.” She hopes people will make the time to give this gift at the next annual spring drive of the Rutherford Community Blood Bank, to be held on April 14, 2025, from 1 – 7 pm, at 55 Kip Center in Rutherford.
Sue was born and raised in Rutherford and made her first blood donation while a student at Rutherford High School. She moved to Lyndhurst after getting married to Ted Garbe and was the director for Rutherford Child Care Center for over 20 years. She raised two children, Scott and Lauren. In 2003, in his sophomore year of high school, Scott was diagnosed with leukemia. Sue said, “There were so many times that Scott’s platelets were wiped out. He needed so many blood transfusions.” Sue held a blood drive in honor of Scott at the Lyndhurst Elks. One of Sue’s student’s parents had the perfect blood match for Scott and regularly donated on his behalf. Scott recovered and is 37 years old today.
Seeing first-hand how important blood donation was, Sue was inspired to donate blood whenever she could. Sue knows that some people are afraid of the pain of needles but says it is helpful to remember that the person who needs the blood is probably in a lot more pain.
Sue volunteered and worked for Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund at Hackensack Hospital for many years and now works at the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, whose mission is to help families tackle childhood cancer by providing financial, emotional and practical support. Sue said, “I know how devastating it is for families, in so many ways, to have to navigate treatment for their children’s cancer. I feel honored now to hear their stories and to be able to help them through it.”
In the past two years, Sue has developed health conditions, prompting her doctor to tell her that she should not donate blood any longer. Sue is devasted by this change as this will be the first year she does not donate since 2006, but she will continue to spread the word about the importance of donating.
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