BOTKINS — The second annual Chelsea Lukey Memorial Blood Drive, in honor of the late Botkins High School graduate, will take place Tuesday, Jan. 3 from 3-7 p.m. in a new location, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 116 N. Mill St., Botkins.

Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE.

Chelsea was a 2006 graduate of Botkins High School and Edison State Community College. She lost her long battle with pancreatic islet cell cancer in 2010 at the age of 22. Blood transfusions were part of her treatment. Her hope was to someday be healthy enough to donate blood, rather than be the recipient.

The first Chelsea Lukey Memorial Blood Drive in July was supported by 76 donors, including 34 first-time donors.

“It was such a great success in 2016 with many people coming to donate blood to help local patients,” said CBC Shelby Co. Account Representative Kathy Pleiman. “Chelsea’s family will continue to honor her with another blood drive during the first week of 2017, hosting this during a challenging time for blood collections.”

Everyone who registers to donate will received the Star Wars inspired “Rogue Blood Donor – a Story of Hope” t-shirt.

January is designated “National Blood Donor Month” because winter is a challenging time for maintaining the area blood supply. If you must miss an appointment to donate please reschedule when you can. The blood center especially encourages the continued support of type O whole blood donors and type A/B platelet and plasma donors.

Community Blood Center is now testing blood donations for the Zika virus and is no longer deferring donors for travel to Zika endemic areas. By consenting to give blood, donors are agreeing to participate in a research study to help develop better testing systems to protect the blood supply.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org