On May 11, the 11th annual Katie Lavey Memorial Blood Drive was held in the gym at Park View Middle School. Katie, who would be 28 years old, had dreams of becoming a teacher. Yet she did not even get to graduate from Cranston High
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On May 11, the 11th annual Katie Lavey Memorial Blood Drive was held in the gym at Park View Middle School.
Katie, who would be 28 years old, had dreams of becoming a teacher. Yet she did not even get to graduate from Cranston High School East. As she prepared to enter her senior year in 2005, she passed away at the age of 16 after a routine surgery.
It was a shock to her entire family, and to the Park View and Cranston East communities. Keeping Katie’s memory alive and making a positive difference has been a mission of her mother, Laurie Lavey.
To date, more than 600 people have donated at the drive through the years. According to the Rhode Island Blood Center, one pint of blood can save three lives.
For Laurie, the blood drive represents the spirit of her daughter.
“Katie loved to help people, and I see this blood drive as something good has come from her passing,” she said.
Katie was the oldest of four children – Patrick, 25, Tom, 23, and Kerry, who is in her last year at Park View.
“After 11 years, I am proud that my daughter Katie is still saving lives and bringing the community together,” Laurie said.
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