Hammondsport, N.Y. (WETM)---Only 3% of Americans donate blood every year, despite 38% being eligible to donate.

A local family is trying to improve that statistic by organizing blood drives for people in memory of their youngest son, Nathan.

"People don't understand or know the importance of the fact that we all need blood, and it has to be given freely, and those chosen people need to step up and be there for our chosen man," said Gail Wilson, Nathan's mother and blood drive coordinator.

Nathan passed away in 2023 after an artery in his spleen ruptured. During his eight-day hospital stay, he had six surgeries and received 26 units of blood.

"He was not able to speak during those first couple of days; he kept pointing to himself inward, and finally they gave him a marker board, and on

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