A blood drive will take place on campus next week to benefit Mercyhurst College sophomore Ethan Johns.

In January Johns was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a highly treatable form of cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
He had to medically withdraw from the college for the winter term, but he is back for spring term and will be continuing treatment for the next two years.

During this time, Johns may become a candidate for a bone marrow transplant.

In order to help replenish the reserves Johns uses during his treatment, a blood drive will take place on Wednesday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Herrmann Student Union Great Room.

Students who donate blood are able to join the Be the Match RegistrySm, which is part of the National Marrow Donor Program.

To join this program, students need to complete paperwork and give a sample mouth swab.

This is a chance to support both the Erie and Mercyhurst community and a way to show support for Johns.

Appointments to donate blood can be scheduled online at centralbloodbank.org using the sponsor code ZRTN0627.

Walk-ins are also welcome at the blood drive.

The blood drive is sponsored by the Central Blood Bank and the National Security Club (NSC) with help from Mercyhurst Competitive Intelligence Club (MCIC).

The non-profit organization, Central Blood Bank, supplies blood and transfusion services to 40 hospitals in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Identification is required to donate blood.

For more information, e-mail Alex Falatovich at afalat55@mercyhurst.edu.