The annual Stay Strong Michael blood drive was held at Chatham High School on Sunday to remind the community of the importance of blood donations.
The blood drive honors Michael DiMaggio, who was struck by a car in 2014 when he was 11 years old.
"A motorist had a medical incident that caused him to go unresponsive behind the wheel. He came up over the sidewalk and ran over my son,” said his mother, Nicole Dimaggio.
DiMaggio was in the hospital for months and needed seven blood transfusions to save his life.
His mother says when people would ask how they could help her son, she would always ask them to donate blood.
That was what inspired her and her family to start the annual drive in her son’s name.
The blood drive is now in its ninth year, bringing out regulars like Jill Weber.
"Everyone comes out in droves for it. In fact, they often have to turn people away at the end of the day,” she said. “So, I just wanted to give back. The community came together when Michael had his accident and it's just nice that we can keep it going and help others.”
Michael DiMaggio is now a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin. Learn more about giving blood at
redcrossblood.org