Community sets blood drive for ailing friend

Vernon — A blood drive to help Vernon resident Jim DiZenzo is planned for Sunday, May 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Francis De Sales Parish Family Center on Route 517. DeZenzo is a parish member and known to many in the community as a past Vernon Soccer, Baseball and PAL Basketball coach. The community is rallying around him as he currently suffers from Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonitis (NSIP), which causes inflammation that leads to scarring of the lungs in the area between the air sacs and the blood vessels. According to blood drive organizers, “It may be due to toxic fume exposure, lung infection or connective tissue disease such as arthritis. Most of the time, it is not possible to determine exactly what has damaged the lungs. The bottom line is... Jim needs a double lung transplant.” Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good general health to donate. For information call 973-714-3724.