MBPD To Host 8th Annual Mark Vasquez Memorial Blood Drive

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association is presenting the 8th Annual Blood Drive for Officer Mark Vasquez on Wednesday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Joslyn Community Center in Manhattan Beach.

Officer Vasquez joined MBPD in 2005 and worked as a patrol officer until he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2007, the MBPD press release said

"Officer Vasquez was heroic in his positive outlook and will to win not only at work, but at home with his wife, Lee, and their two daughters, Madison and Ashley," MBPD said. "Officer Vasquez’s battle against cancer was valiant and at times, when he was able to return to work, he said he felt like Superman."

Fellow MBPD officers quickly nicknamed Vasquez "Superman" and held multiple fundraisers and events to support him. However, on May 15, 2011, MBPD lost their Superman, the press release said.

To sign up for the blood drive, which is held in partnership with the American Red Cross and family of Officer Vasquez, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "MarkVasquez."