Blood drive Saturday honors firefighter's daughter with cancer

Provided by the City of Highland Park

Highland Park firefighters and other city employees will band together to support fellow firefighter and Purple Heart recipient Nathan Abbott by hosting a second LifeSource blood drive in honor of his 20-month-old daughter, Kylia, who is fighting a high-risk cancer.

The blood drive takes place on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fire Department Headquarters, Fire Station #33, 1130 Central Avenue, Highland Park.

“We’re in the career of service,” says Deputy Fire Chief Dan Pease. “In our endless effort to save lives, we now focus on trying to help a brother and his family in their time of need.”

Appointments for the blood drive are preferred, but all walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visiting www.lifesource.org and using sponsor code 243D.

Donors should expect the entire process to last approximately one hour, however the actual blood donation should last no longer than 10 minutes.

As a part of the process, donors will be given a questionnaire, and a short physical by LifeSource personnel to test hemoglobin (iron) levels, blood pressure, temperature and pulse.

Refreshments will be provided immediately following all blood donations.