The Gift of Life: Blood Drive

On April 18, Kyra's Hope Foundation partnered with Bloodworks Northwest to host a community blood drive at the south end QFC parking lot on Mercer Island. The event drew an extraordinary response from neighbors, parents, and students who came ready to give what no factory can manufacture: blood.

By the time the last appointment wrapped, the blood drive bus was completely full. Every slot filled. Every chair taken. Every donation a tangible act of love for a child or family somewhere in the region who needed it.

Volunteers including Julie Hsieh, Gautam Kumar, Alka Kumari, Piyusha Pandya, and Shaivi Pandya worked alongside Bloodworks Northwest staff to welcome donors, coordinate logistics, and ensure the day ran smoothly from the first appointment to the last.

"A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Mercer Island community, friends, parents and students. Every unit collected represents a 'tomorrow' for a child in treatment and a 'second chance' for a family in crisis. Seeing the blood drive bus completely full was a powerful reminder that while we lost our Kyra five months ago, her light continues to shine through your kindness."

Kyra believed in showing up for people. On April 18, Mercer Island showed up for her, and for every patient whose name they will never know but whose life they quietly changed.