Before most are old enough to donate blood, a Marlborough teen is making a difference in Massachusetts in honor of his brother.

Davi Noleto de Sousa is a 16-year-old young man who attends the Advanced Math & Science Academy in Marlborough. He’s passionate about a lot of things most teenagers are: school, sports, family. But family has taken on a larger part of his life thanks to his passion to promote the need for blood donations.

Davi and his family are from Brazil, where his brother Henrique battled cancer treatments with the help of blood products provided by volunteer donors. Sadly, Henrique passed away from leukemia. But it sparked something in Davi when he saw he could make a difference for others battling cancer.

“Many times in the hospital the doctors talked about blood shortages. There were times when we were told that certain blood types were low or that supplies were low. Even though the doctors and nurses did everything they could, I could see the worry on my parents’ faces whenever blood was needed,” Davi said.

“As a child I did not understand this, but now I know how important blood availability is for people in treatment. I see how something as simple as donated blood can help give them strength to continue fighting,” Davi said.

In May, Davi sponsored his first blood drive at The Immaculate Conception church in Marlborough. A conservative number of donors were expected, but turnout exceeded all expectations. The drive collected 32 blood units from participants, which included 26 first-time blood donors.

With his family providing food and refreshments for donors, the community came together to make the drive successful.

“Davi’s mother and her friends provided Brazilian food in the canteen, his father wore the heart shaped costume and all his friends volunteered in different ways to make this drive a success,” said KerrieAnn Jack, Massachusetts Regional Donor Services Executive.

“No family should have to worry about whether there will be enough blood available for their loved one. Blood cannot be made in a lab; it depends completely on generous donors. That is why I believed hosting a blood drive would make a real and meaningful difference,” Davi said.

You can find a blood drive near you by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and searching with your zip code. One donation saves more than one life. Make a difference and schedule an appointment today.