Blood Drive In Honor of Steve Shoemaker

Dear Friends,

I would like to invite the community to join with the University YMCA, McKinley Church & Foundation, the Krannert Center and the Community Blood Services in participating in the first Steve Shoemaker Blood Drive.

Born and raised in Urbana, Steve has spent much of his life serving the community through a wide range of community and church organizations, including 10 years as the executive director of the University Y.

At the heart of Steve's service was a commitment to social justice and a concern for all segments of our community — especially those in need.

The University Y is proud to celebrate Steve's contribution by joining with Community Blood Services in sponsoring this special Blood Drive from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the lobby of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana.

Even when facing terminal pancreatic cancer, Steve is thinking about how he can contribute to the greater good — and this blood drive in his honor is one of the ways he is paying it forward.

Did you know:

— That a single blood donation can save up to three lives.

— All the blood collected at the drive will supply local hospitals.

— The No. 1 use of our blood product is for people fighting cancer.

— And blood donations drop by nearly 20 percent during the summer months.

The University Y encourages all who can to join with us on July 19 and ask a friend or family member to sign up online at http://www.bloodcenterimpact.org using Code #70978.

Mike Doyle
Executive Director
University YMCA