| Published January 22nd, 2020 | Blood drive honors Miramonte teen | | By Sora O'Doherty | | Photo provided | Lamorinda residents, and others, have been invited to donate blood in honor of Anthony Bradley, a Miramonte senior. Bradley, 18, is currently battling Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), and will require blood transfusions during his cancer treatment. He is raising awareness for the importance of blood donations to cancer patients.
An avid swimmer, lifeguard, and Rugby player, the Orinda resident is part of a huge community with his extended family in the Bay Area and Michigan, his church, the Columbo Club, school, and sports.
Deena Mader, whose sons are friends of Bradley's, is helping to promote the blood drive, and emphasizes that people should attend, even if not giving blood. "More people will be fun and uplifting and show the community solidarity that our area is so known for," she says. "The Bradley family have been so touched by the amazing outpouring of love, kindness and support," she added. "Anthony has remained so positive and shown such character these past few months-in part due to so much love being poured into him. His altruistic nature makes this effort no surprise that he would want to rally his community and raise awareness of lives that can be saved by donating blood." Only 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but only 10% actually do donate, according to Mader. In order to give blood, a person must be over 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
The two venues for the drive are on Friday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the small gym at Miramonte High School, located at 750 Moraga Way, Orinda, and on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the parish hall, Church of Santa Maria, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda. Identification will be required and space may be limited.
To make an appointment or get more information, visit redcrossblood.org; enter sponsor code: AnthonyBradley. For information about eligibility to donate blood, call 1-866-236-3276 or visit http://bit.ly/elgble. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |