GAINESVILLE - When Patrick Kelley was in Boy Scouts he wanted to organize a blood drive as a project to help the Gainesville community. On Saturday, Dec. 19, a special blood drive held in his honor from 10:00-2:00 at Grace Episcopal Church.
Patrick died in a car crash on his 18th birthday in 2011, and friends then organized a blood drive to honor the musically-talented Gainesville High School student. That blood drive is now an annual event, and more than 100 blood donors have participated over the years.
“I think he’d be thrilled,” said Patrick’s mother Cheryl Kelley. “He thought it was important. He thought the blood supply was important, and he thought community was important.”
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers will host the blood drive, which is open to the public. Donors must be at least 17, or 16 with parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. All donors receive a T-shirt and a complimentary cholesterol screening.
Kelley was an Eagle Scout and played euphonium for GHS's Big Red Machine, where he was brass section leader for two years. He was also a cellist, was involved in many activities at Gainesville High School, and was an active member of the youth group at Grace Episcopal Church. Cheryl Kelley said Patrick also played guitar for the church youth group and even took his euphonium Christmas caroling one year. Having the blood drive at the church brings an added connection.
“The people at Grace helped raise him,” she said, “and they’ve been important ever since.”
The timing of the drive, coming as the holiday season is getting underway, helps LifeSouth prevent blood shortages that frequently occur in December and January. Cheryl Kelley said coming during the college holiday break offers an added opportunity for the family, too.
“I was able to reconnect with some of Patrick’s friends and classmates,” she said.
For additional information call LifeSouth’s Mary Owens at 706-429-7144.
