The twenty-third annual Officer John P. Kalaman Memorial Blood Drive has been moved to the Centerville High School East commons cafeteria with new safeguards to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
>> Community Blood Center urges donors to wear face masks
Officer Kalaman and Washington Township Firefighter Robert O’Toole were struck and killed by a motorist on Jan. 12 of 1998 while responding to an accident. This year’s blood drive falls on what would have been John Kalaman’s 52nd birthday.
For the first time since their son’s death, John and Paula Kalaman will be unable to attend.
“We recognize the necessity to that,” said John Kalaman. “We don’t have to like it, but we accept it. Paula understands. There are somethings you can’t do. She’s OK with it. Would she like to be there greeting people? Heck yes. But it will be better next year.”
Another precaution is suspending the tradition of serving donors birthday cake decorated with a Centerville Police badge. But the blood drive will carry with the same mission of helping save lives.
More than 4,249 units of blood have been donated in Kalaman's name since 1998.
Donors should wear a face mask and schedule an appointment by visitng www.DonorTime.com or calling (937) 461-3220.