PIGGOTT, Ark. — For the third year, Dillon McNew’s family will a host a blood drive in his memory. The drive will be held Friday, June 2 from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at the Piggott Courthouse.
In March 2015, Dillon sustained severe injuries in a tractor accident and passed away after a 17-day fight to save his life. He received 140 pints of blood. Dillon was a registered organ donor and actively encouraged others to register as well. The extent of his injuries sadly rendered his organs unusable.
Free-spirited and hardworking, Dillon loved to spend time with friends and family, particularly his grandmother Pat, baby brother Seth, and daughter Ariella. In addition to friends, family, and the farming community, Dillon’s mother Margo Brown hopes to see high school and university students who have never donated blood before attend the drive.
“We want to continue this annual blood drive as a way to give back to the community,” said Brown. “This is exactly what Dillon would have wanted. I have said this before, but I wish I could personally hug each one of the 140 donors. They allowed me to spend precious time with Dillon that we may not have had if not for their blood donations.”
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 Memory of Dillon McNew
Friday, June 2
12:30 – 6 p.m.
Piggott Courthouse
151 S. 2nd Avenue, Piggott, AR 72454
To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS
Blood donors of all types are needed. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no substitute for donated blood products.
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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