The 11th Annual Brenda Riggins Christmas in July Memorial Blood Drop will be held Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stanleytown Elementary School. The event honors Brenda Riggins, a local woman who donated an extraordinary 16 gallons of blood during her lifetime. It is organized by local school board member Teddy Martin, who represents the Reed Creek District.
Riggins was an adoptive grandmother to Martin and a passionate advocate for blood donation in the region.
“One fact—when she was first told that she had cancer, the first thing she said was, ‘I’m not able to give blood anymore now,’” Martin said.
Riggins had a deep bond with Martin and his siblings, and one of her last wishes was to encourage him to become a blood donor.
“I’d always called her Granny Brenda. In fact, she went by that title even though she was not my grandmother. She listed me as her grandson, as well as my brothers and sisters, in her obituary,” he said.
“She loved Christmas. She knew she wasn’t gonna make it to Christmas. She wanted to celebrate Christmas one more time,” Martin said. “So, Christmas in July—and then we do one in December, and it’s also a Christmas theme.” The donation site is decorated with Christmas items Riggins collected during her years of giving.
Over the past decade, the drive has helped dozens of people begin lifelong donation routines. Martin, who had never donated before the first event, is now up to four gallons.
This year, donors will receive a pair of sunglasses and may have a chance to win gift cards.
“They told me to plug the sunglasses,” Martin laughed. “So, come on down and get you a pair. But really, every donation can save up to three lives. That’s the real reason.”
The July and December drives are especially important, Martin noted, because they fall during months when donations typically drop.
“People are on vacation or busy with holidays,” he said. “But the need doesn’t stop. That’s why we’re proud we’ve made this work—and that people keep showing up.”
In 10 years, the drive has collected more than 1,000 donations.
“We don’t have cadets or a student body,” Martin said. “It’s just regular people. A lot of first timers. A lot of folks heard the story and decided to help.”
While the July 12 drive is the current focus, Martin said the larger goal is building a habit of giving.
“It’s not just about that Saturday,” he said. “You can give six times a year if you’re doing singles, three if you’re doing doubles.”
Some longtime supporters won’t make it this time—they’ll be returning from vacation too late—but Martin said they still plan to give later.
“That’s what matters,” he said.
Still, turnout is important. In order for the Red Cross to continue bringing a team out on a Saturday, appointments need to be filled.
“They’re probably paying overtime to do this,” Martin said. “We’ve got to show them it’s worth it.”
Thanks to the Red Cross Blood Donor App, participants can even track where their donations go. Martin said he has seen his blood used in Martinsville, Danville and Roanoke—and even as far away as Pennsylvania and Texas.
“They’ll send it wherever it’s needed,” he said.
To sign up, visit www.redcrossblood.org and search for Stanleytown Elementary. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. The blood drive will be held at 74 Edgewood Drive, Stanleytown, Virginia.
