The community is invited to donate blood in memory of Katherine Toce at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, March 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Highland School.
In the over 20 years since Katherine Toce died from aggressive brain cancer at the age of 11, her family has collected thousands of units of lifesaving blood for other hospital patients in need. Throughout Katherine’s cancer battle, she received many units of blood products to extend her life. The first blood drive in Katherine’s memory was organized by her brother on Dec. 10, 2000. Now, her family partners with the Red Cross every March to raise awareness around the ongoing need for blood donations, and to continue Katherine’s legacy of kindness and service to others.
To date, since 2000 over 3966 units of blood have been donated at blood drives in Katherine’s honor.
Donating blood is one of the simplest things a person can do to help celebrate a person’s life. For the hour it takes to give blood, there could be a whole community of people thankful for another birthday given to a loved one.
Donors of all blood types – particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – are needed daily to meet demand. Protect the blood supply from dropping – book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.