Special community blood drive honoring three Manchester students | News

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- The parents of three Manchester High School students who've died recently want to give something back in their honor.

They're holding a special community blood drive.

One student used to work at a Midlothian pre-school where the drive will be held next month.

The parents say their children put others first so what better way to honor their lives.

All three died separately, but shared a common devotion in life: helping others.

"He gave blood at school," said Phil Edwards, father of Gage Edwards.

"She took iron pills every day until the next drive at her high school which was about 2-3 weeks before her accident," said Carolyn Spence, mother of Avery Spence.

"Lauren was a blood donor, she was a plasma donor," said Mary Tuck, mother of Lauren Tuck.

Inspired, their parents want to do the same.

"It's a good thing to give blood and share the love these kids had for life," said Tuck.

Tuck's 20-year-old daughter, Lauren, died in her sleep after falling from her bunk bed at Liberty University in September 2010.

Her mom wanted to have the blood drive at Kids R Kids Learning Academy where the 2008 Manchester grad worked.

"I had a vision or a dream to help the families who might have lost their child or have one in the hospital that need blood," said Tuck.

Spence said her 17-year-old daughter Avery would have jumped on board with the idea.

The Manchester senior and soccer player died in a rollover crash in Nottoway County in May 2010.

"She was always out there giving she donated a lot of time to soccer. Soccer was her life," said Spence.

The Edwards' said their son Gage was the same way.

"Helped everyone," said Laurie Edwards.

Another crash took the life of the Manchester junior track athlete.

A memorial still marks the place where Gage Edwards died on Qualla Road.

It's decorated with mementos from holidays that have passed since his death on his 17th birthday nearly seven months ago.

"If this blood drive can prevent one family from going through the suffering we have gone through it is so worth it," said Laurie Edwards.

The goal is to have more than 130 donors and already about 100 people have signed up.

The special community blood drive is Monday, May 14 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Kids R Kids Learning Academy.

Blood mobiles will be in the school's parking lot at 6761 Temie Lee Parkway in Midlothian.

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