When Cedar Springs area residents showed up to give blood at the #13 Honorary Blood Drive Saturday, it meant more than just a simple donation; the family and friends of 16-year-old Sean Thompson were paying it forward.

Donor Rebecca Klompstra with Sean Thompson at the #13 Honorary Blood Drive. Photo courtesy of Michigan Blood.

Sean, whose number on the football team is 13, was involved in a tragic accident on August 23, with friends Wyatt Phillips, 16, and Johnny Klaasen, also 16. Phillips died at the scene, and Thompson lost a lot of blood. He needed multiple transfusions, and people stepped up to donate. His family decided to host the blood drive as a way to say thank you.

According to Meredith Gremel, of Michigan Blood, 34 people attempted to donate. “We collected 21 units. Due to space, another 14 were not able to donate at the blood bus but we invited them to our Michigan Blood facility on Fuller to donate this week or whenever it is convenient and we will include them in the results from the #13 drive,” she said.

Sean’s mother, Tami Elliston, is grateful to friends, family, and the community for their support.

Thompson has been undergoing rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and was due to return to school this week.