American Red Cross 2nd Annual blood drive to honor
James Blackwell “Blackie” Davis, Jr.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The American Red Cross, Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (GC&P) Blood Services Region, will host a special blood drive in honor of the late James Blackwell “Blackie” Davis, Jr. on Sunday, Feb 19, 2012 from 10am-4pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Old Town Alexandria.

Blackie was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS), a pre-leukemia type of blood cancer where the bone marrow does not function or produce the normal amount of red blood cells. After a 9-year-battle with MDS, Blackie passed away on October 9, 2010. Blackie was a lifelong blood donor with the American Red Cross, donating every 56 days to help patients in need of blood transfusions. Blackie required frequent blood transfusions and ongoing chemotherapy treatments during his battle with MDS.

“If it had not been for those who donated their time, effort and most importantly, their blood, we (the Davis family) would not have been given the chance to spend those extra years with him nor those memorable conversations, laughs, smiles and hugs we had,” said Tommy Davis, son of Blackie. “The American Red Cross donations gave Blackie and our family the gift of a new day, the gift of hope and the gift of life. For that we are forever grateful.”

Members of the community are invited to participate in this special event to honor the life of Blackie. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org. All participants are eligible to win an ipod, restaurant gift cards or other great prizes.

“We are proud to continue this special event for its second year and help honor Blackie’s legacy of longtime blood donation,” said Gary J. Ouellette, CEO for the GC&P Region of the Red Cross. “We welcome all eligible community members to make a blood donation in honor of Blackie and help many more local patients in need.”

The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the Red Cross serves Central Maryland, York and Adams counties in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Loudon and Fairfax counties in Virginia. The GC&P Region of the Red Cross provides blood to more than 50 area hospitals and their patients.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. For more information or to make a blood donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1 (800) RED CROSS. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate. For volunteer information, please call 1-800-272-0094 x1.