Shared by Lynn O’Donnell, Brian’s cousin
Brian Cleveland suffered from Leukemia and needed platelets on a regular basis. His cousin Lynn, an outreach coordinator with Mercy Flight WNY, contacted Unyts to host a blood drive at Crittenden where Lynn was an EMS Captain at the time. When Brian’s wife, Katie was told about the drive she immediately said no to it and Lynn was going to cancel it, but something made her continue forward with the drive.
“After the drive, I got a phone call from Brian crying, saying to thank all my fire fighters and friends who donated. We had collected 13 pints and he needed 10 of them for blood transfusion. Since we had them banked in his honor due to complications from his Leukemia treatments.”
Brian had been in remission and was able to shake hands with many of the firefighters, including the chief, and many of Lynn’s friends who had donated.
Unfortunately, Brian has since passed away from Leukemia, but everything his son Colton plays at Lynn’s fire hall on Christmas Eve, his mom Katie, thanks Lynn and all the heroes who donated during that drive for helping Brian have a little more time with Colton.
Lynn, Katie and their families continue to understand the importance of regular blood donations and encourage everyone to get out there to donate as often as they can.
Lynn with Brian's son, Colton