By Grace Allen

Last month’s Gary Mirliss Blood Drive has been extended through February. Donors can visit the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, located at 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, and donate in memory of Gary Mirliss, a Norfolk resident who passed away from leukemia at age 50.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 617-632-3206. Donors are asked to inform the front desk when they arrive that they are donating in memory of Gary Mirliss.

After his death in 2001, Gary’s family decided to honor his memory and give back to the hospitals that cared for him during his illness by establishing an annual blood and bone marrow registry drive. The drive would also epitomize his outlook on life: always try to help others.

Gary Mirliss was treated at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, undergoing a bone marrow transplant and numerous blood transfusions during the course of his illness. Those two institutions, along with Boston Children’s Hospital, are the recipients of the annual blood drive, which has impacted thousands of people battling cancer. One unit of blood can help 4 children or 2 adults. 

Next year’s blood drive is already set. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 6, 2024 for the 20th annual event—but it’s not too late to give blood this year, too