Brave Avon Resident's Cancer Fight Inspires Blood Drive, Fundraising Dinner

AVON, CT — Folks are encouraged to donate blood in the memory of a brave Avon resident who died in 2021 after a long battle with cancer.

The Swetzes family is hosting a blood drive on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The American Red Cross blood drive is being held in memory of Chris Swetzes, who was only 21 when he died of metastatic Ewing's Sarcoma, a disease he battled since the age of 16.

According to a message from the Swetzes family, Chris Swetzes received more than 100 blood transfusions throughout his battle.

The 2018 Avon High School graduate became an advocate for cancer awareness, even starting a Relay for Life team (called "Chris & Company") that family and friends continue in his honor.

Relay for Life is a regional fundraiser where teams of walkers traverse a pre-set course to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Additionally, Chris Swetzes was the vice president of "Vie for the Kids," a local charity that raises funds for pediatric cancer trials at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford.

Tickets are on sale now for the Sept. 13 "Vie for the Kids Gold Ribbon Dinner" to benefit the nonprofit. Those tickets are on sale for $100 each through Friday, Sept. 5, at this link.

To register for the blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767). Use the sponsor code: IMOCHRIS.

For more information and to register for the blood drive, click on this link.

For more information on the 'Vie for the Kids Gold Ribbon Dinner' and to purchase tickets, click on this link.