Special blood drive held in memory of Dorian Murray
Stonington community encouraged to give blood and be #D-Strong
FARMINGTON, Conn. — At 8 years old, before dying of terminal cancer, Dorian Murray told his father he wanted to be famous in China. His family shared that request on Facebook, and before long, it was seen all over the world. Now, on Thursday July 27, family and friends will host a blood drive in Dorian’s memory from the Stonington Police Department.
Dorian Murray was a blood recipient for four years, as he battled a rare and untreatable form of pediatric cancer. His family says Dorian received more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions as part of his treatment.
“It’s because of blood donors that I had the chance to spend as much time with my son as I did,”
said Melissa Murray, Dorian’s mother. “I would have lost him much sooner if blood products were not available to him. We honor Dorian with this blood drive because I know there are other people, kids, who wouldn’t survive if blood products were not available.”
Dorian’s blood drive comes when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for donors of all types to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
Donate Blood in Memory of Dorian Murray
Thursday, July 27
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Stonington Police Department
173 S. Broad St, Pawcatuck
How to donate blood
The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit
redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit
redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit
redcross.org or
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at
@RedCross.
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