Blood drive in honor of UW employee’s injured son is Wednesday

It can be a helpless feeling when your child is hurt.

Larry Davis, UW–Madison associate residence life director, knows that feeling all too well. His 13-year-old son Marcos was severely injured this past summer after accidentally setting himself on fire.

Marcos has had six surgeries, three blood transfusions and spent nearly three months in intensive care at UW Hospital. He has now been transferred to American Family Children’s Hospital, where he will begin rehabilitation. Still, Davis feels lucky for Marcos to have survived.

“People have been really supportive,” Davis says.

Part of how friends, family and co-workers have shown their support is by donating blood. One blood drive has already been held and another is planned from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at University Apartments Community Center Gym, 611 Eagle Heights. Another will be held Monday, Oct. 29 at Sherman Middle School, Marcos’s school.

When Marcos was first injured, Davis wanted to get donations equal to the amount of blood Marcos needed. In summer, blood donations are usually low, reaching their lowest levels in June or July.

That goal has now increased to 100 units of blood.

“The reality is you never know when you’ll be in that position when you or someone you know needs it,” Davis says. “I wouldn’t want to be a patient when the blood supply is at its lowest.”

A single blood donation can help up to three people, according to the American Red Cross. So far, approximately 32 units of blood have been donated in honor of Marcos.

Donating blood is one way to feel less helpless. “People are pretty comfortable doing different things,” Davis says. “They just want a way to help.” One friend helped paint his son’s rooms. Others have volunteered to sit with Marcos so Davis can run errands.

Before the accident, Marcos was an outgoing teenager who loved to skateboard and rock climb. The road to recovery will still be long, but Davis is grateful for the support of coworkers, friends and family.

“It’s a way to help other folks in the community and a way to show support for my son and me,” Davis says. “It’s just an hour of your time but will make a big difference.”

Appointments can be scheduled online at www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (sponsor code: university apartments). Donors are required to present a blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification, at check-in. To ask questions or volunteer, email treana.olofson@housing.wisc.edu.