Please join us with the American Red Cross to participate in our second annual “Blood for Blackie”; a blood drive being held in the memory of my father, James Blackwell Davis, Jr., “Blackie”.
Shortly after my Dad retired, he was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia (MDS) - a pre-leukemia type of blood cancer where the bone marrow does not function or produce the normal amount of blood cells. ...
[read more] Please join us with the American Red Cross to participate in our second annual “Blood for Blackie”; a blood drive being held in the memory of my father, James Blackwell Davis, Jr., “Blackie”.
Shortly after my Dad retired, he was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia (MDS) - a pre-leukemia type of blood cancer where the bone marrow does not function or produce the normal amount of blood cells. After a long, nine-year battle, he passed away on October 9th, 2010. Throughout the time he was sick, he was required to have frequent blood transfusions and chemotherapy sessions, but never let the disease affect him as an individual. Instead, he chose to live his life full of courage, positivity and humor and more importantly strength, having reassured us he would never stop fighting.
Throughout his lifetime, my father devotedly gave blood on countless occasions to the American Red Cross, feeling honored in knowing that something so simple could bring a person life and hope. After being diagnosed with this disease, his doctor informed him he could no longer donate blood, and in true Blackie Davis fashion, his only response was, “Well, I donated all these years I guess it’s time to fill me back up.” My father battled one of life’s biggest challenges, and faced that challenge with the same strength, courage, kindness and humor he brought to everyone in any situation.
Over the years, my father encountered numerous hospital visits and endless amounts of blood transfusions and procedures. During one of his extended hospital stays, he was given over 100 bags of blood and platelets throughout a very critical time period. If it had not been for those who donated their time, effort, and most importantly their blood, my family would have never been given the chance to spend those extra years with him, nor those memorable conversations, hugs, smiles, and laughs that we shared. The American Red Cross donations gave my father, and my entire family, the gift of a new day, the gift of hope and the gift of life, and for that, we are forever grateful.
On behalf of my entire family, we encourage the community to give the gift of LIFE, because this is what my Dad would have wanted for us to do.
Please join us in participating at “Blood for Blackie”, being held on Sunday, February 19nd at the Crowne Plaza in Old Town Alexandria, VA from 10 AM to 4 PM.
We hope to see you there!
-Tommy Davis
A Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors:
** Helios HR
** Blackwell Property Management
** Emergent
** K4 Solutions
** RIVA
** Zion Yoga
** Joy of Dance
** Hanover Companies
** Mary Kay
If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Alexandra Baird at anbaird@gmail.com.
Sign up for your donation appointment here:
http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation-sponsor?date%5Bmin%5D%5Bdate%5D=&date%5Bmax%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_sponsor_code_value=05313699&distance%5Bsearch_units%5D=mile
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