Blood Drive at Gillespie Wednesday

and the San Diego Blood Bank are hosting a blood and bone marrow drive Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the school on Girard.

Erica Hurley, a teacher at The Gillespie School, organized last year’s event collecting 50 pints of blood and added more than 30 people to the National Bone Marrow Registry. Hurley, who was inspired by former student, hopes this year’s event will be a bigger success.

“Last year, the drive was held in honor of Sydney, a former Gillespie student, who was forced to leave school because of her on-going battle with leukemia. Her brother Max, a student in my fourth grade class the previous year, was amazingly able to donate his bone marrow and allow his sister to go into remission for a second time,” said Hurley in a letter sent home to parents. “I am happy to report that Sydney is doing very well in no small part due to Max. The tone of this year’s blood drive will be one of hope and an inspiring reminder of the courage and strength shown by Sydney and her family; Sydney has now reached the first anniversary of her bone marrow transplant and serves as a beacon of hope for many.”

To make an appointment go to sandiegobloodbank.org and click “appointments” and “make an appointment at a mobile blood drive.” Don’t forget to enter sponsor code "TGPS."

In addition to the blood and bone marrow drive, The Gillespie School is hosting a bake sale for those too squeamish to give blood or that just like a delicious cupcake. All monies raised at the bake sale will be donated to the San Diego Blood Bank.