The community is invited to give blood in honor of JJ Thomas at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grizzell Middle School in Dublin.
Thirteen-year-old JJ is known as a smart, kind and athletic student at Grizzell Middle School. He is a seventh grader who is full of energy, plays soccer, football, basketball and golf, and attends St. Brigid of Kildare Church in Dublin with his family. JJ was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2016. During his treatment he has received multiple blood transfusions and may need more as treatment continues.
The Thomas family hopes the community will give blood in his honor. “JJ has already received transfusions and he is counting on us to give and help him be strong,” said Michelle Thomas, JJ’s mother. “We invite the community to join us.”
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to honor JJ and help patients in need,” said Rebecca Cunningham, recruitment manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region.
In addition to a blood drive, this event will also have opportunities for individuals to register as a bone marrow donor through Be the Match.
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.
Blood Drive in honor of JJ Thomas
Sunday, March 19, 2017
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Grizzell Middle School
8705 Avery Road, Dublin, OH 43017
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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