An American Red Cross blood drive will be held Saturday, March 29 in memory of Hunter Gross who passed away last year, but is remembered by his mother, Lindsay Butterfield.

Hunter was born July 12, 2012, with a congenital heart defect and at five weeks old had his first blood transfusion and open-heart surgery. On July 11, 2019, one day before his 7th birthday, Hunter went through his second routine open-heart surgery to have his pulmonary valve replaced but experienced complications and had to be put on life support. Two days later, he seemed to be recovering and was taken off life support. However, things took a turn for the worse. Medical personnel gave him CPR to revive him but were unsuccessful.

“The night Hunter died, the hospital went through more than 100 units of blood trying to save him,” said Butterfield. “Giving to others in memory of my boy helps to feel that his life legacy goes on.”

Donate Blood in memory of Hunter Butterfield
Saturday, March 29
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Desert West Dance Academy
15671 W. Roosevelt St., Suite 105

Hunter grew up visiting his mother’s dance studio and developed a love for dance. He spent most of his time playing in the dance studio lobby or taking tap dancing lessons along with his siblings. “It was only fitting that I would use this space to host the drive,” said Butterfield.

Hunter’s mother encourages all of her dance studio families and community members to donate blood during this blood drive as a way to honor her son. “He genuinely loved people and giving to others, he was a very special boy and he loved to dance!” said Butterfield.

This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.

To make an appointment to donate in honor of Hunter Butterfield, use sponsor code DesertWestDance on the Red Cross Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

How to donate 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. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.RedCross.org or http://www.CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.