WALTONVILLE, IL — The American Red Cross is once again teaming up with the family of Josh Melton to host a blood drive in his memory Friday from 12-5p.m. at Waltonville High School.

Josh was 20 years old when he died in January of 2019 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He loved hunting, fishing, and helping others, including volunteering with the Jefferson County and Waltonville Fire Departments. Josh was also a regular blood donor, honoring his late grandmother, who needed blood transfusions in her fight against bone marrow cancer. “Josh never met a stranger and would do whatever he could to help others,” said Stephanie Melton, Josh’s mother. “We could not think of a better way to remember his life than by hosting this blood drive at his high school. We invite the entire community to donate in Josh’s memory as a way of helping others in need of blood.”

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. The American Red Cross continues to have an ongoing, critical need for lifesaving blood this year as blood product distributions to hospitals remain higher than anticipated. In recent months, the Red Cross has sent 12% more blood products to hospitals to help patients in need, including higher distributions to hospitals in areas where the pandemic continues to disrupt normal blood collection operations. As summer vacations end and people return to regular routines, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give now.

To sign up for an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and enter/mention sponsor code JOSHUA.