LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, alongside Vitalant Blood Donation, is holding a blood drive in honor of the victims and survivors of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, eight years after the tragedy.
According to a release from Vitalant, the need for blood is critical, and the drive will help “keep blood on the shelves, ready, no matter the event.” The VGK Foundation has partnered with Vitalant and Downtown Summerlin for the blood drive at City National Arena.
Officials shared the story of Jovanna, a survivor of 1 October who received multiple blood transfusions that saved her life.
“I am so grateful for my family and the blood donors who made me strong enough to fight the impossible,” she said.
Original Misfit and Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Famer Deryk Engelland had his blood drawn on Wednesday and said giving blood was vital to help save lives.
“It helps save lives or save people by giving that second chance to see another day or get them through whatever they’re going through, so I think it’s important to give blood,” Engelland said. “I think it’s pretty cool when you get the text from Vitalant saying that your blood’s on the way to help someone.”
The VGK Foundation is donating $1 million to the Vegas Strong Fund to support the construction of the Forever One Memorial. The memorial will pay tribute to the 58 lives lost, more than 850 injured, 22,000 survivors, and first responders.
Officials said they hope the memorial will offer a safe space for the community to continue healing as they reflect on the tragic events of that night for years to come.
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