Teen Honors Grandfather’s Memory through Blood Drive this Saturday

There will always be a bond between 16-year-old Krista Delia and her late grandfather, George B. Sloane, a 41-year resident of New Providence, who lost his battle with Leukemia in May of 2010.

And Delia has found a number of ways to keep her grandfather’s memory alive — by wearing a necklace he gave her for her confirmation and giving back to the community that supported him through his illness. This Saturday, a blood drive organized by Delia in her grandfather's memory will be held at the , located at 175 Floral Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What would she say to her grandfather if she could speak to him now?

“I would tell him that I miss him like crazy and that we are keeping grandma busy and that he has nothing to worry about,” said Delia. “Of course, I would also like to tell him that what we need most is to have him back, but I know that’s not possible."

Krista’s mom, Laura Delia, assisted with the planning of the blood drive this Saturday and the first blood drive held while George was alive.

“My father passed away in May of 2010 and we ran the George B. Sloane Victory Blood Drive two years ago when he was still alive, because at that point he had gone into remission,” said Laura Delia, of Springfield, NJ.

Laura said the blood drive was a phenomenal success, collecting 85 bags of blood. But she and her daughter are concerned that because this is such a popular vacation time, they may not get the same attendance this year as they did in 2010.

Yet both mother and daughter are motivated to meet the critical need for blood during the summer months.

"Even though we may not get the turn out as in 2010, anything we can collect during the summer months is helpful. In fact, that blood we collect this weekend will most likely be used on Labor Day weekend,” said Laura. “Every bag donated saves three lives.”

, an organization that surprises or “blings” Cancer patients in the hospital, will be at the blood drive on Saturday, collecting donations.

Laura said during one of her father’s darkest days, Operation Bling showed up and it made a significant difference.

“My sister, who was in the room at the time, told me his face completely changed because he was able to [give] our mom a piece of jewelry,” she said.

The organization, established by Bill and Christine Ferdinand, owners of in New Providence, will accept donations at the drive that will be used as gifts for Cancer patients and their loved ones.

“It’s an amazing organization that offers a little happiness to someone who is so ill,” said Laura.

Despite the pain of losing her grandfather, Krista said she feels very proud to be able to honor her grandfather’s memory by taking action to help others in need.

“I know how much blood and platelets he needed during his illness, and it was there for him when he needed it," she said. "This is my way of giving back.”

Aside from the necklace he gave her, Krista has another gift from her grandfather that she said she will cherish for the rest of her life: wonderful memories.

“Every summer, he would go to Maine and bring back lobster and he would teach me how to crack them open and the best way to eat it,” she said. “He came to all of my softball games. He said it was one of his favorite things to do.”

Krista said she hopes her friends can attend the blood drive, pointing out that one has to be age 16 to donate blood, but only with parental consent.

She said a 17-year-old can give blood without parental consent, but both 16-and 17-year olds have to meet certain height and weight criteria in order to donate.