Giving thanks by giving blood: Peters mom hosts annual blood drive
Peters Township mom hosts annual blood drive
Ten years ago, blood transfusions saved the life of Nancy Tray’s daughter, Maddalena, after she was born.
Every year since, the Tray family, of Peters Township, has celebrated Thanksgiving by partnering with Vitalant to host the Maddalena Tray Blood Drive. Tray urges all eligible donors to give blood and help local hospital patients.
“Ten years ago, blood donors gave our daughter a precious gift. Today, we continue to honor that gift by helping others receive the same chance,” said Tray “Without the blood donations Maddalena received, she wouldn’t be where she is today. Blood donors saved her life, and we want to pay that kindness forward. It’s a simple act with a profound impact.”
When Maddalena was born in 2017, she suffered a tremendous amount of blood loss that led to liver and kidney failure, and other complications, and she was immediately transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where the newborn received more than 40 blood transfusions.
Shortly after Maddalena received those life-saving transfusions, Tray was sitting in a waiting room while her daughter was undergoing testing and saw a pamphlet highlighting the critical need for blood donations and promoting “Replenish the Need” drives.
“I called Vitalant and said I wanted to host a “Replenish the Need Drive,” said Tray. “There is such a critical need for donors, and a lot of people are eligible and don’t realize it.”
Tray now serves as an ambassador for Vitalant and works to educate others about the significance of blood donation.
“It’s all about education and getting the word out. I”m a huge advocate for donating blood now because I realize how crucial and how important it is. There are so many people who need it due to accidents, illnesses, medical treatments, or other health issues,” she said.
The 10th annual Maddalena Tray Blood Drive will be held Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, at the Peters Township Recreation Center between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Tray chose the day before Thanksgiving “because it’s about gratitude and being thankful for what you have. It’s just so important.”
Maddalena, a survivor of a condition called IgA Vasculitis, suffers from chronic kidney disease and likely will need a kidney transplant at some point.
But, said Tray, Maddalena the youngest of three girls, leads a normal life and is a “typical kid,” and loves competitive hip-hop dance.
“Out of everything that could have happened, she did end up with chronic kidney disease and she will probably need a kidney. But she’s a regular girl who is ready to take on the world. We’re proud of her. She handles everything with grace,” said Tray.
Vitalant is also encouraging blood donations throughout the month of November. Drives throughout Washington county are listed below, and all donors are entered to win one of three $10,000 gift cards.
Vitalant, a nonprofit, urges all eligible donors to give thanks for their good health and make an appointment to give blood to help patients. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Whether an accident or surgery, blood disorder or cancer treatment, it’s the blood already donated that saves lives.
It takes donors of all blood types to keep the blood supply stable, especially type O and platelet donors. O-negative blood can help any patient. O-positive, the most common blood type, can help anyone with a positive blood type.
As a special thank you, all Vitalant donors in November will be entered to win a shopping spree: one of three $10,000 prepaid gift cards in Vitalant Donor Rewards. Plus, donors Nov. 1-22 will also be able to receive an exclusive Winnie-the-Pooh T-shirt. Donors who use code THANKFUL-2026-V to make their appointment to give between Nov. 23-30 will each get a $20 Rewards gift card.
Learn more and make an appointment by visiting vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Blood drives
Maddalena Tray’s Blood Drive
Date: Nov. 25
Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.
Location: Peters Township Recreation Center
700 Meredith Drive, Venetia, Pa., 15367
Account Code: UZ0021026
Other Upcoming November Blood Drives:
Canonsburg
Nov. 11
The Health Club at Southpointe – Bloodmobile
333 Technology Drive
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Claysville
Nov. 16
McGuffey High School
86 McGuffey Drive
7:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
McMurray
Nov. 11
Center Presbyterian Church – Hall
255 Center Church Road
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nov. 27
Center Presbyterian Church Hall
255 Center Church Road
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Washington
Nov. 14
Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Conference Room
240 Wellness Way
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19 and 25
Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Conference Room
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nov. 30
STAT MedEvac-Washington Ambulance & Chair EMS – VFC – North Franklin Township
565 Sylvan Drive
7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.