The community is invited to give blood in memory of Connor Taylor at a special American Red Cross blood drive Wednesday, May 31, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Worthington Parks and Recreation.
Worthington native Connor Taylor was known for his desire to help people even from the time he was a student at Worthington Kilbourne High School. He graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University with a degree in public health and planned to pursue a master’s degree in the same field. A proud blood donor, he often wore a Red Cross blood donor T-shirt he received after one of his many donations. He personally gave 15 blood donations resulting in dozens of blood products which potentially touched the lives of countless hospital patients and their families. In February 2016 he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and passed away eight months later in September. Connor received blood transfusions during his treatment to help him fight the cancer.
The Taylor family invites the community to give blood on May 31 in honor of Connor’s birthday on June 1. “We would love to see everyone come together to celebrate Connor’s 24th birthday by giving the gift of life,” said Carleen Taylor, Connor’s mother.
“What better way to honor Connor’s life than to host a blood drive where people can give the gift of life in his name,” said Janelle Bowman, account manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region.
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
Those who come to donate at this blood drive will receive a buy one get one free entry coupon to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and a chance to win a weekly drawing for four tickets to Zoombezi Bay.
Blood drive in memory of Connor Taylor
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
1 to 7 p.m.
Worthington Parks and Recreation
345 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, OH 43085
How to donate blood
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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