Honor Todd Richissin, My Brother, On World Blood Donor Day

My brother Todd Richissin would have turned 58 next week if not for the cancer that took him from us much too soon — and it happens to coincide with the same week as World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

In the first days of his diagnosis in 2016, Todd would often say, “I’m going to live like I’m going to live.”

And he often did with an attitude of irreverence, grit and determination, displaying the champion he was and never giving up in his daily battle with stage-4 cancer. Except on the days he couldn’t.

Those were the days where the illness took over. The effects of cancer sucked the iron from his body, leaving him short of breath, limited in movement and powerless over the disease he vowed to fight.

On those days, Todd would require blood transfusions to restore him to the person he was and, just as importantly, the person he wanted to be. I write this not out of pity but as a request to those who offered support over the years with, “Let us know what we can do.”

It may seem odd to ask now, but what we need are more blood donors. Blood transfusions are an important part of the planned treatment of cancer patients — as well as for expectant mothers and in the case of disasters. If you’re eligible to donate blood, this life-altering process takes only about an hour.

If you’re unable to donate blood or haven’t the time, spreading the word about the importance of World Blood Donor Day can make an enormous impact.

Tell your friends, family, colleagues, and social media followers about the importance of blood donations. Many people are unaware of how easy the process is, so word-of-mouth is incredibly helpful in inspiring future blood donors. And it will help people.

My brother was often a champion for those who couldn’t speak for themselves — one look at his story, “Charlie Squad,” for which he won a Kennedy Award honoring a public service, and you’ll know his heart.

After his passing, I discovered that Todd had been giving humbly and generously to St. Jude’s to benefit children who require cancer treatment as well as blood transfusions to counter their shortness of breath and limited movement — so that they can be the people they want to be.

Please give if you can.

"There’s no end to grief … that’s how we know there is no end to love.” ~ Bono Vox

Todd Richissin, the author's brother, was the national editor at Patch for many years and a friend and a mentor to all.