The annual Glen Ciano Memorial Blood Drive was being held in Commack Saturday.

The yearly event is held in honor of former Suffolk County Officer Glen Ciano, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009. He served with Suffolk County police for over two decades and was a husband and father of two children.

For more than 10 years, the Commack Fire Department has held the annual blood drive in honor of Ciano.

Since 2011, over 1,500 donations have been made.

Residents came to the Commack Fire Department to donate blood since the drive started at 8 a.m.

Officers' Ciano’s widow, Susan Ciano, was at the event Saturday to donate blood like she does every year.

“It’s giving the gift of life so I truly appreciate that and I truly appreciate that I know most of the firemen now too,” Susan says. “And they treat me like family.”

Ciano had close ties with the fire house. He would park his police cruiser here at shift changes and ate meals with the firefighters.

"We loved just talking to him and exchanging stories, talking about family, different activities we were all into, and he's really missed," said Rob Weisberg, of Commack Fire Department.

Officer Ciano's brother, Jim Ciano, comes each year to donate his blood as well.

"They considered him a very close friend and it's an honor to come here and donate in honor of him," he said.

According to the New York Blood Center, there was a shortage of blood donations during the pandemic. They say it's more important than ever to donate.

"Not enough people donate nationally and locally. It's only 3% nationally and 5% locally," said the center's Dionis Xhindolli.

Suffolk Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron was also a donor at the event.

He said blood donations recently saved the life of Suffolk Police Officer Christopher Racioppo, who was stabbed in Patchogue last month and nearly died.

"Chris lost almost his entire blood volume out of his body, and he needed 21 units of blood and plasma and every single one of those was essential to survive," Cameron said.

Organizers of the blood drive said they usually collect around 200 pints of blood every year.

All donations will go to the New York Blood Center.