HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The Seventh Annual Wes Leonard Memorial Blood Drive is set for 9:00 a.m.to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, June 2 at Fennville Middle School, 1 Memorial Drive, in Fennville.
The American Red Cross, with the Heart Team and the community of Fennville are honoring the memory of Fennville High School senior Wes Leonard
He died suddenly on the basketball court after making the game-winning shot to send the school’s team to the 20-11 State Regional playoffs.
Doctors determined that Leonard suffered from arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, after he collapsed on March 3, 2011. There was a defibrillator about 50 feet from the gymnasium but it didn’t have a working battery. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and over 350,000 people will suffer from sudden cardiac arrest this year. An automated externaldefibrillator, or AED, is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy-to-operate tool for someone with no medical background.
The Red Cross and the Wes Leonard Heart Team will also present a new AED to Gobles High School. A school representative will receive the lifesaving device during a special noonpresentation.
All eligible donors are encouraged to download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment.
Everyone who comes to donate will receive a free, commemorative “In Honor of Wes Leonard”T-shirt, while supplies last.
