Red Cross blood drive to be held in honor of Purple Heart recipient

Special to Leader-Press

On Sept. 28, 2011, while serving as a U.S. Army medic in Afghanistan, Lampasas High School graduate Christopher Haley suffered serious injuries when an improvised explosive device exploded near him. Due to his injuries, Haley lost his right leg and received 51 blood transfusions.
Today, Haley, newly married, lives in Utah and is training to become a physical therapist in part due to his experience recovering from his injuries.
To  commemorate Haley’s “alive” date and to pay  those 51 blood transfusions forward, the Haley family invites the community to help honor this Purple Heart recipient by donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive held in his honor on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 922 Lutheran Church Rd., Copperas Cove.
“I will never know the 51 generous individuals who rolled up their sleeves to donate the blood that helped save my son’s life,” said Susan Haley, Haley’s mom. “But, I can help make sure blood is available for someone else’s son or daughter. Please join us in celebrating this special day by helping to save a life.”
As the Red Cross responds to wildfires and historic hurricanes, eligible donors are reminded that giving blood during National Preparedness Month in September is one way to help ensure the Red Cross is prepared to respond to patient emergencies across the country every day.
To make an appointment for the blood drive in honor of Chris Haley, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code Chrishaley.
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 and platelet donors can 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.