Saturday, October 5, 2024

Dan Licardo Blood Drive Honoring Our Heroes to be held Sept. 11

Dan Licardo

On Sept. 11, the Flower Mound Summit Club will host the third annual Dan Licardo Blood Drive Honoring Our Heroes with the goal of collecting more than 200 units of blood to honor military and first responders.

The blood drive to “honor our heroes” was started in 2018 when Dan Licardo, a former Navy SEAL and friend to many Summit Club members, was involved in a catastrophic car accident that took both of his legs and required doctors to use 94 units of blood to save his life. Now, in the midst of COVID-19, blood is needed now more than ever.

The Dan Licardo Blood Drive Honoring Our Heroes will take place at the Cross Timbers Family YMCA, 2021 Cross Timbers Road in Flower Mound, from 1-7 p.m. on Sept. 11. Due to COVID-19, all donors must reserve a spot online prior to the event. Donors should schedule a time to give blood today. Here’s how:

  1. Visit redcross.org
  2. In the “Find A Blood Drive” Box, enter: 75028
  3. Under “Drives Near 75028,” scroll down until you see “The Dan Licardo Blood Drive Honoring Our Heroes” on 9/11
  4. Sign up

In keeping with recommended COVID-19 protocols, this year’s event will be less of a fair with additional organizations participating, and focus solely on the blood drive. Also in keeping with all Red Cross protocols, multiple safety measures are being taken to protect all involved including temperature checks, wearing masks, social distancing and frequent cleaning.

It was September of 2018 that Licardo suffered a grand mal seizure while driving down a major thoroughfare in Flower Mound. During the seizure, Licardo lost consciousness and suffered violent muscle contractions that caused the car to accelerate and swerve off the road into a large tree. Months later, Licardo came to realize the seizure was caused by the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to years of explosives training and multiple tours of combat in the Middle East. Sadly, TBI is a common diagnosis for many returning veterans with myriad effects. While Licardo mourns the loss of his legs, he is grateful to the people who worked tirelessly to save his life.

“There’s not enough I can say about the first responders, the Care Flight team and the doctors who worked so hard to save me after the crash,” Licardo said.”If it weren’t for the equipment, the staff and the training provided by the citizens of Flower Mound, my story could have had a much different ending.”

Hearing his doctors and rescue team recount details of his recovery and treatment in the OR, Licardo became keenly aware of the importance of blood donation and what a precious, and perishable commodity it is.

“Most people don’t realize blood is a perishable item with a shelf life of about 42 days. To make sure hospitals have what they need, the blood supply has to be replenished regularly but only about 3% of people who can give blood actually do. I completely bled out seven times before the doctors could save me,” Licardo said. “I was thankful to have friends who stepped up to donate last year and now, I’m excited to help pay that forward by making the blood drive they started for me an annual community event here in Flower Mound.”

Mark Smith
Mark Smith
Mark Smith is the Digital Editor of The Cross Timbers Gazette.

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