QUINCY, ILL. -- Ethan Weiman was just four and a half years old when he died of cancer called nueroblastoma, last June. Saturday, his love of cowboys became the inspiration for an American Red Cross blood drive. Ethan was just one of many people in Quincy with the need for blood transfusions.
Today, Ethan's parents Dave and Elicia Weiman along with his brother and sister welcomed 77 blood and platelet donors throughout the day. Dave and Elicia couldn't be happier with the day's turnout.
"We really appreciate it, it's nice that people in the community will come out and help support us with this event," said Dave.
The American Red Cross has one reminder for people wanting to donate during the summer heat.
"Right now, when it's really hot outside, somebody can come in and when going through their health history, we'll take their temperature. And just walking around in this heat will raise their temperature, so they're differed and can't give blood that day," said Theresa Kuhlmann, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross.
All of today's donors were eligible to win hourly drawings for Red Cross teddy bears and tickets to Ethan's Rodeo next Saturday, August 21. All proceeds from the rodeo will go to nueroblastoma research. The Red Cross will also give away a 2011 Ford Fiesta to one lucky winner as a way of saying thanks.
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