EATON — The fourth annual Vincent Jones Memorial Blood Drive is Saturday, June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Eaton First Church of God gym, 601 East Lexington Road, Eaton.
The blood drive is a tribute to a young father who battled leukemia and the blood donors who helped him live long enough to see the birth of his son.
The blood drive features a free pancake breakfast sponsored by IHOP. Everyone who registers to donate will receive a “Vincent Strong” bracelet and the Community Blood Center “My Courage Defines Me – I Donate Blood” t-shirt.
Jones lost his battle with leukemia in June of 2016, just 13 days after the birth of his second son Jeremiah. His widow Mindy Sue Jones coordinated the first blood drive in his memory in August of 2016.
The 2018 blood drive was supported by 83 donors resulting in 77 donations, a 42 percent increase over the previous year.
“My family and I are very excited to continue Vincent’s legacy and pay it forward with the ripple effect of helping others,” said Mindy Sue. “It is such an honor each year to see all of those who come out to donate blood in Vincent’s honor and set the example of a giving heart and lifestyle for our young sons, Gabriel and Jeremiah. We appreciate all those #VincentStrong individuals who join us at Vincent’s Memorial Blood Drive.”
Everyone who registers to donate will be automatically entered in the Lifesaving Adventure Blood Drive grand prize drawing to win a custom YETI Adventure Package. It features a YETI Tundra Cooler, plus 27 genuine YETI accessories including a pair of Base Camp chairs.
New platelet and plasma donors are in high demand, especially those with blood types A, AB, or B positive. These blood components are vital for the treatment of cancer, trauma, organ transplant, and burn patients. CBC is offering new opportunities to donate platelets and plasma at community blood drives. Find out more at www.GivingBlood.org or talk to an apheresis specialist at 937-461-3220.
