The American Red Cross will host a blood drive in memory of Super Sam Foundation founder Sam Santhuff's memory for the ninth consecutive year.
The Super Sam Foundation focuses on promoting awareness of and resource for fighting childhood cancer.
Those wishing to donated can do so from noon to 6 p.m. at Fulton High School on Wednesday and Thursday.
Since it started, nearly 800 blood donations have been collected at this drive and over 130 more are expected this year.
Sam Santhuff was only five years old when he was diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. His treatment included numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and radiation treatments.
In addition, Sam had to live apart from his family for a month to receive specialized radiation, and later spent time apart for 100 days in isolation for a bone marrow transplant Ultimately, the extraordinary care Sam received was not enough to defeat the disease as he passed away Sept. 19, 2014.
As Sam's family shared their experience throughout Sam's treatment, thousands of people were touched by the little boy known as "Super Sam." In 2015, his parents, Matt and Cassie, founded the Super Sam Foundation, a non-profit organization, to keep Sam's memory alive while promoting awareness, advocacy, research and support for the fight against childhood cancer.
"Sam wanted nothing more than to help 'All the Kids,' so this drive is for him and to honor his legacy in the most perfect way," said Cassie. "We prayed before every transfusion, thanking the selfless donors who gave, so that he could live. Blood donations gave Sam's twin sister her playmate and best friend back, with a new-found energy. We hope that our community will come out, once again, and donate for 'All the Kids' we remember such as Gabriel, Addison, Kyleigh, Ashely, Zac, Wyatt, Parker, Nat, Ethan and so many more. Please be that selfless gift for the next child."
Right now, the Red Cross has an urgent need for all blood types – especially type O. There is no substitute for donated blood products. The Red Cross encourages those with types O, A negative and B negative blood to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.
With a donation from Discovery, all who come to give blood at this drive and in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive Shark Week merchandise package that includes a beach bike, a smokeless portable fire pit, a paddle board, kayak and a $500 gift card to put toward accessories.