Mishawaka High School to host blood drive for staff member's nephew battling cancer

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Mishawaka High School is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a special blood drive on the campus.

Blood will be donated in the school’s gym in honor of a college freshman who was diagnosed with cancer.

Ryan Hill is the nephew of Mishawaka High School’s assistant principal, Jessica Mann.

Since he and Mann’s family live in New York, she wanted to find a way to help her nephew and honor his journey with cancer, all the way from St. Joseph County.

Mann is working with the American Red Cross, who will be taking over the gym and turning it into a huge donation bank for 5 hours this afternoon.

While there were originally 70 donor slots open, the American Red Cross says anyone who shows up today will be able to give blood.

All blood types will be accepted and the event is open to anyone in the community, not just students or their families.

Donors can park on the street on Gernhart Avenue or use the school’s visitor lot on Lincolnway and walk over to the cave.

The day is all in honor of Ryan, who appreciates the gesture from his aunt and the community, even from miles away.

Mann shared that her nephew is, “really excited about it; he’s just really grateful at the outpouring of support really from all over the country.”

The blood drive will take place at ‘The Cave’ – that’s Mishawaka High School’s gymnasium on the east side of the building - from 1p.m. to 6p.m.