Blood drive held in honor of a local teen

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A blood drive was held Thursday in honor of Michiana native, 13-year-old Giuliana Mendez who was injured by a drunk driver in February.

The blood drive was held at the South Bend Career Academy until 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

25 people signed up along with a handful of other walk-ins who rolled up their sleeves to make a blood donation.

The donations are in light of the blood transfusions Mendez received that helped save her life.

“People want to give back and they realize when someone they love gets blood, they learn how much it’s needed,” said Erin Noonan of the South Bend Medical Foundation.

Mendez hopes others will join in giving blood as it is an important resource for hospitals since there is always a need for more.