Urgent Call for Blood Donations for Ben Schaeffer, Fighting for his Life on a Ventilator

A veteran conductor once hailed a hero for his handling of an on-board emergency is fighting for his life and needs a plasma donation.

Ben Schaeffer, Local 100’s RTO Conductor Vice Chair, has COVID-19 and is on a ventilator at Maimonides Hospital. Doctors have recommended an experimental new treatment called “Convalescent Plasma.” The Blood Bank at the hospital needs blood donors who have tested positive for the coronavirus, have recovered, and have gone at least 14 days without symptoms. Ben’s blood type is A+ and he needs a matching donor or donors to come to his assistance now. The number at Maimonides for potential donors to call is 718-283-7657. If you have type A+ blood, please help your union brother.

Plasma is the straw-colored liquid in which your blood cells "swim." According to the NY Blood Center, a plasma donation feels much the same as a whole blood donation. A small amount of blood is taken from your arm using a new, sterile, single-use needle

Ben, 57, is a 23 year Transit veteran. In October, he quickly evacuated his train at a Brooklyn stop after being alerted that a rider had poured gasoline on the floor of one of the cars.

The story was covered by Channel 4 NY:

Fearing Explosion, Subway Conductor Quickly Evacuates Train As Passenger Pours Gasoline Inside

A fast-acting subway conductor rushed to evacuate his train at a subway stop in Brooklyn when he spotted someone pouring gasoline all over the train floor and feared an explosion. Conductor Benjamin Schaeffer said when his train pulled into the 36th Street station in Sunset Park on Sunday, passengers approached him, telling him they saw someone spilling gasoline on the floor of the train.