Memorial Blood Drive Honors Life Of Manhattan Beach Officer

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – Mark Vasquez, a deceased Manhattan Beach police officer, will be honored at the seventh annual Mark Vasquez Memorial Blood Drive held by the Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association, the family of Vasquez and the American Red Cross this Tuesday.

Vasquez joined the Manhattan Beach Police Department in 2005 and worked in patrol until he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2007, according to the American Red Cross press release. Throughout treatment, Vasquez maintained his positive outlook and remained committed to his family and work – his fellow officers nicknamed him “Superman." Unfortunately, Manhattan Beach lost its Superman May 15, 2011, according to the press release.

Vasquez’s wife and their two daughters, along with friends and colleagues, gather to remember him and commitment to serving his community by holding an annual blood drive in his memory. Over the last six years, the blood drive has collected 395 pints of blood, according to the press release.

“This May will mark seven years since we lost Mark, and our family would again like to give back to those in need of blood transfusions, including patients fighting cancer or other illnesses,” Lee Sibbald, Vasquez’s wife, said. “Together, with the Manhattan Beach Police Officers' Association, in memory of our Superman, we're giving blood and asking the community to join us. Your generosity could help save a life.”

The blood drive will be on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Joslyn Community Center Room located at 1601 N. Valley Drive. To give blood in memory of Mark Vasquez simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code MarkVasquez to make an appointment.

Those who come to donate can enjoy an on-site cookout and receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card and a $10 gift card via e-mail, both courtesy of Suburban Propane.(Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

How to donate blood, according to American Red Cross:

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Photo courtesy of American Red Cross