Hillsborough Family on a Life-Saving Mission to Encourage Blood Donations at October 7 Rutgers University Heroes Blood Drive
(Piscataway, NJ) – Harrison Chung is a typical six-year-old who loves all things dinosaurs – especially the Jurassic Park series. But there’s nothing typical about the battle he faced and the courage he showed when he was diagnosed with leukemia as a three-year-old in 2022.
After three years, Harrison has completed his treatments at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Cancer Institute. He’s back in school and can now turn his full attention to his passion – dinosaurs. Recognizing the important role blood transfusions played in Harrison’s treatment and recovery, the Chung family has made it their mission to encourage others to donate blood and blood products. Harrison was also honored as the Rutgers Shining Knight of Game at the Rutgers – Iowa football game earlier this month. The Shining Knight of the Game is a Rutgers Athletics tradition that honors RWJBarnabas Health patients for their bravery in the face of adversity.
To read Harrison’s full story, please click HERE.
BMSCH and Rutgers Cancer Institute Patient Honored as Shining Knight
“In my opinion, donating blood is a simple way that you can help someone,” Harrison’s mother, Erin said. “My goal is to remind people how important it is. It saved our son.”
Since their son’s diagnosis, the Chungs have helped organize and promote an annual blood drive in Hillsborough and continue to urge others to donate whenever they can.
“You never know when you or a family member is going to need it. You want it to be available for you and your family,” Erin said. “It’s important that people know how much of a need there is (for blood donation) and all the opportunities there are to donate.”
The Chung family is encouraging anyone who is eligible to support the Heroes Blood Drive on Tuesday, October 7 from 12 noon – 6 p.m. at the Rodkin Academic Success Center, 201 Fitch Road, on the Rutgers Busch Campus in Piscataway.
The Heroes Blood Drive is part of the “We Give Blood” donation competition presented by Abbott, the Big 10 Conference, and Rutgers Athletics, supported by RWJBarnabas Health and New York Blood Center. The competition’s goal is to boost the U.S. blood supply. The We Give Blood Drive will put rivalry and school spirit to the test as all 18 conference schools compete to see who can donate the most blood, positively impacting lives across the country.
Appointments for October 7 blood drive are strongly encouraged and available at www.rwjuhdonorclub.org. You can also register for this blood drive or several others in our local area, by visiting www.BigTen.org/Abbott. Click on the “Rutgers” icon and make your appointment to save a life.
A photo ID is required for donation. Please eat and drink prior to your appointment. All donors ages 17 and older must weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. 16- year-old donors can give with parental consent and a minimum weight of 120 lbs. Contact the blood center for a consent form. All donors will receive an exclusive, limited-edition Rutgers T-shirt and a beanie (while supplies last).
To participate in the competition, Rutgers students, fans and alumni can donate anytime between Aug. 27-Dec. 5 at blood drives or blood centers across the U.S. The winner of the “We Give Blood” drive will be announced at the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. The winning school will receive $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health. Donations will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.Org/Abbott throughout the campaign.