Submitted Photo Benjamin Siegel, a Fredonia High School student, has organized a blood drive in honor of his sister, Eleanor, left, whose life was saved by donors while battling cancer as an infant.

At just six months old, Eleanor Seigel was diagnosed with high-risk infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2012. The chilling diagnosis was followed by chemotherapy treatments as Eleanor fought for her life.

Now more than a decade later, Eleanor is fully recovered and thriving. Her brother, Benjamin, knows what a difference quality health care can make if the professionals have the resources they need, so now he is doing his part to make sure that is the case.

Benjamin Seigel, a Fredonia High School senior, has partnered with the Connect Life Blood and Organ Donor Network to organize a community blood drive to support patients in need, just like his sister once was. The blood drive will take place Monday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church, located at 39 Matteson St. in Fredonia.

Seigel first approached the Fredonia Central School District about hosting a blood drive, but with the nurse’s office in flux, coordinating the event was easier said than done. Undeterred, Seigel took the lead in finding another avenue for the blood drive, through Connect Life.

“He took the leadership role and went out and made it happen,” Fredonia High School Principal Darrin Paschke said. “This was really all him.”

In addition to being characterized as a leader, Paschke also described Seigel as a kind soul who is well-liked by his peers. He is also a member of the Fredonia High School National Honor Society.

Seigel knows as well as anyone how important the need for blood is for healthcare professionals, as his sister received more than 100 units of blood from Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo through her chemotherapy treatments. Organizing a blood drive is his way to repay the community for helping save his sister’s life more than a decade ago.

“I’m just really proud of him. It speaks a lot to his character that he values this, and went for it and made it happen. I want all of our kids to do that,” said Paschke.

April is National Donate Life Month. According to the National Institutes of Health, one blood donation can save up to three lives. Donations with Connect Life will stay here in Western New York.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood as part of the blood drive, donors can call (716) 529-4270 or visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org and enter sponsor code 002246. Donors will receive a Buffalo Sabres T-shirt.