Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and Park Ridge Baptist Church will host a blood drive in honor of 2-year-old Austin Blackwell, of Rock Hill, on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Austin was diagnosed with liver cancer Nov. 14. After running a fever and showing signs of a stomach protrusion, his doctors ran tests and found a tumor on Austin’s liver. As part of his treatment, Austin has received three blood transfusions and one unit of platelets at Levine Children’s Hospital. He is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments once a week in an effort to shrink his tumor and postpone the need for a liver transplant.

The family’s pastor at Park Ridge Baptist Church suggested the church hold a blood drive as a way to give back and support them during this trying time. The drive will take place from 3-7 p.m. at Park Ridge Baptist Church, 5099 Trotter Ridge Court, Rock Hill.

“Austin is in pain, but he is a fighter,” said Marisol Blackwell, Austin’s mother. “I hope lots of people will be able to go and donate blood. You have no idea how many lives you can save by Just donating blood. It has saved my sweet Austin three times already!”

Walk-ins are welcome at the blood drive, but appointments are encouraged. Call 803-366-3313 or visit www.ncdonor.com and enter sponsor code TeamAustin to make an appointment.

“We are privileged to be part of this community blood drive in honor of Austin Blackwell, and to support him and his family during his cancer journey,” said Tuesday Morse, a CBCC donor recruiter. “Donating blood is an incredible way to make a difference in the lives of Austin and countless other local patients who rely on lifesaving blood every day. This blood drive provides an opportunity to give the precious gift of life this holiday season.”

According to CBCC, cancer patients are the No. 1 recipients of blood products. One local children’s hospital alone requires nearly 300 units of red blood cells and more than 100 units of platelets each month.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is the local nonprofit, community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC collects blood and blood products from volunteer donors in the community to return to the community at the lowest possible cost consistent with the highest possible standards. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers that provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply. For more information, visit http://www.cbcc.us/.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 1-888-59BLOOD.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.