Residents and law makers are petitioning to allow air ambulance services to transfuse and carry blood during flights. This photo shows an emergency airlift taking place along State Rt. 8 in Columbus following a serious accident between a car and tractor trailer. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NEW YORK – A petition to allow air ambulance services to transfuse and carry blood products has received more than 12,000 signatures, backing from state officials including Senator Fred Akshar, and is making its way to the Senate floor in bill form.

According to Senator Akshar, this community-wide outcry for change has been heard by legislators, and several, himself included, are going to continue pushing for this change.

“As many learned of the near-tragic story of Travis Flanagan, an entire community was moved and joined together to bring about positive change and save lives in the future,” said Akshar on Monday. “Today was an important step forward in this collective goal.”

He said while New York State regulations currently make it extremely difficult for air ambulance services to transfuse and carry blood products while transporting patients to an area hospital, on Monday, the state Senate Health Committee voted to advance S.4085, a meaningful overhaul of these burdensome regulations, where the bill will have the opportunity to be considered on the Senate floor.