HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The 8th annual Wes Leonard Memorial Blood Drive is set for 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. June 8, 2019, at Fennville Middle School, 1 Memorial Drive, in Fennville.
The American Red Cross is proud to once again partner with the Heart Team and the community of Fennville to honor Fennville High School senior Wes Leonard.
Leonard died in 2011 on the basketball court after making the game-winning shot to send the school’s team to the State Regional playoffs.
Doctors determined that Leonard suffered from arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. When he collapsed on March 3, 2011, there was a defibrillator about 50 feet from the gymnasium but its battery wasn’t working.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and over 350,000 people will suffer from sudden cardiac arrest this year. An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy-to-operate tool for someone with no medical background.
The Red Cross and the Wes Leonard Heart Team will present a new AED to the Charlton Heston Academy in St. Helen, Michigan. A school representative will receive the lifesaving device during a special presentation at the blood drive.
The Red Cross currently has a critical shortage of type O blood. Right now, and type O blood is being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Type O donors ─ and donors of all types ─ are urged to give now to help ensure blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters.
In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross May 1 through June 10, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
All eligible donors are encouraged to download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS — (800) 733-2767 — to make an appointment.
Everyone who comes to donate will receive a free, commemorative Wes Leonard T-shirt, while supplies last.
