Blood Drive Held In Memory Of Bronxville 14YO

BRONXVILLE, NY — A blood drive is being held in memory of John Duffy Jr., a 14-year-old Bronxville resident who passed away unexpectedly last November, following a tragic accident. After his passing, his kidney was donated to Tanith O’Brien, the 19-year-old daughter of family friends who desperately needed a kidney transplant.

From infancy to her toddler years, Tanith had several surgeries. When she was 6 years old, doctors told Tanith’s parents, Doreen and Christopher O’Brien, that she could no longer survive without a kidney transplant. Doreen was a match for Tanith, and so she donated a kidney to her daughter. For 13 years, Tanith was doing well.

But last year, Tanith’s donated kidney began to fail. She needed another transplant to survive. She was going through the organ donation and transplant process again, when tragedy struck friends of the O’Brien family: John Duffy Jr., the son of a family friend, lost his life after falling from an apartment window.

After John Jr. passed away, John’s parents, John and Diane, donated their son’s kidney to Tanith.

“The Duffy family gave us a miracle that we are extremely thankful and grateful for,” said Doreen O’Brien.

To remember John Jr. and give the gift of life to others, the O’Brien family is hosting a blood drive in John Jr.’s memory.

It will be held from 2 p.m to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Rye Golf Club, 330 Boston Post Rd. in Rye.
2-7 p.m.

To make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code JOHN.

The American Red Cross encourages all eligible donors to schedule an appointment. This blood drive comes at a time of year when the American Red Cross sees a decline in blood donations. Blood donations decline from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day as people get busy with holiday activities.

Image via Shutterstock.