Anderson senior soccer player and All-American Nina Brandon hasn't been able to play for the Raptors this season because of an injury, but she is making a community impact off the field in tandem with the team.
Brandon and Anderson are hosting a blood drive before their game against Mason on Oct. 17 to bring awareness to the need for blood following Brandon's older brother and former Anderson soccer player Owen's battle with cancer.
In December, Owen was diagnosed with testicular cancer that spread to his lungs. Treatment began with an orchiectomy and chemotherapy before discovering the cancer had also spread to his brain. Owen then underwent high-dose chemotherapy and a double stem cell transplant in the summer.
During the treatment, Owen was
kept alive from blood and platelet transfusions just like the ones being donated at the pre-game drive. The drive, according to Brandon, will serve to bring awareness to testicular cancer, honor Owen's fight through his treatment, give back to those who have helped and to give to others who rely on donated blood supplies.
The blood drive will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hoxworth truck in the parking lot near Anderson's stadium. Donors can sign up at https://donateblood.uc.edu/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/55226. Donors will receive free entry to the soccer game that follows.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Anderson soccer senior Nina Brandon hosting blood drive for brother
