MANSFIELD, Ohio (April 1, 2019) — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Sam Tridico at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his memory Wednesday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Peter’s High School in Mansfield.
Sam was born April 14, 2006, and had a zest for life that was contagious. In 2010, he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a form of cancer. No matter what he encountered, Sam was always bright and cheerful. During his treatment, he received 16 red blood cell transfusions and 26 platelet transfusions. These transfusions helped give Sam more time with his family before he passed away in December 2010, at age four.
Though his life was short, Sam made a big impact on many people. His family invites the community to give blood in his memory.
“Sam’s giving and caring spirit will live on in the many people he touched during his life,” said Judy Tridico Sam’s mother. “The transfusions are what helped keep Sam seemingly healthy and able to be home with our family. Complete strangers helped him stay with us for those extra months just by giving blood. If you give blood regularly or if you have never given before, please consider giving another family like ours that gift of life.”
This is the ninth blood drive held in Sam’s name. The first eight blood drives resulted in 826 donations. Organizers hope this year to reach the milestone of 900 donations given in his name.
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Emily Allen, donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. “We take for granted that blood will be there at the hospital when we need it, but it can only come from generous volunteer donors. Giving blood in Sam’s honor is a wonderful way to remember him and potentially help others.”
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 more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide, including 41 hospitals in Central Ohio.
Donate blood in memory of Sam Tridico
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
St. Peter’s High School, Franciscan Activity Center
111 W. First St., Mansfield, OH 44902
How to donate blood
Simply download the 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 and platelet donors can 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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. 2019-APL-00455