Blood Drive Honors Chatham Native's Recovery From Accident

CHATHAM, NJ — Michael DiMaggio suffered life-threatening injuries in 2014. A car struck him while he was walking home from school on a Main Street sidewalk. But the Chatham native made a "miraculous" recovery, thanks in part to volunteer blood donors, according to the American Red Cross.

The annual "Stay Strong Michael" blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Chatham High School cafeteria.

Not long ago, such donations made a major difference for DiMaggio. The then-11-year-old needed seven blood transfusions within the first 72 hours after the accident.

The DiMaggio has paid it forward for others in need. Michael's mother, Nicole, and friends Michelle Clark, Melissa Fitzgerald, Marguerite White and Rosalinda Rubio-Williams organized the first "Stay Strong Michael" blood drive in 2014. The annual drive has collected more than 500 units of blood.

“These five women have helped educate an entire community about the lifesaving importance of donating blood,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “The persistence and hard work by this group of friends is truly inspiring, helping to save lives and reaffirming the mission of the American Red Cross every year.”

About the Blood Drive

The Red Cross's coronavirus precautions will include temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff. They ask that donors schedule an appointment.

Schedule one by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Use the sponsor code Stay Strong Michael.

This year, people can also honor DiMaggio through a virtual SleevesUp campaign. Click here to donate.

Nicole DiMaggio shared Michael's story with the Red Cross last year. Watch the video below:

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