A blood drive is being held in honor of Chance Young at the Taking Chances Memorial Blood Drive on Sunday, February 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Guard, 130 W Cook Road in Fort Wayne.

Chance was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare type of blood and bone marrow cancer, in April 2022. During treatment, Chance received multiple blood and platelet transfusions. Sadly, Chance passed away in August 2024. To honor Chance, family and friends are encouraging people to roll up a sleeve to help make a difference for patients in need.

“Chance was a fighter. Because of this and the blood he received in his battle with leukemia, his family and loved ones were able to spend precious additional time with him before he passed,” said Selena Young, Chance’s wife. “We are inviting all who are healthy and eligible to donate blood in Chance’s honor.”

Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications. Blood is so important during their treatment that patients fighting cancer use nearly one quarter of the nation’s blood supply – more than patients fighting any other disease.

To schedule an appointment to help patients in need, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All who come to give Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2025, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details, visit redcrossblood.org/Flurry.

A whole blood donation appointment takes about an hour from start to finish, but the actual donation itself only takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Platelets are a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients and these donations may take up to two and a half hours. Platelets must be transfused within five days of donation, so there is a constant need for donors.

How to donate blood

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @indianaredcross. LinkedIn: American Red Cross of Indiana.