AMERICUS —
For the sixth year in a row, First Baptist Church of Americus is set to host the Josh Willis Memorial Blood Drive, sponsored by Phoebe Putney Medical Center. First Baptist and Phoebe Putney will team up with the American Red Cross on Friday, February 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to collect blood for those in need, and honor the memory of a great young man who also gave the gift of lift to help someone in need.
In a world fascinated with fictional super heroes such as Batman and Superman, the word “hero” has become more of a trendy term than a description of character and courage. In reality, heroes are people who think of others above themselves and act with courage to help out those in need. Josh Willis was, and always will be, a true hero after selflessly giving the gift of life to someone that he knew he would probably never meet.
As a football player at the University of Georgia, there was rarely an opportunity for Josh to give blood. Grueling practices and intense workouts are a near-daily task for the Bulldogs football team, and breaks for the players are few and far between. However, the December before his accident, Josh made the decision to use part of his extremely rare and valuable time off to give a selfless gift at a blood drive just like the one on Friday. Josh didn’t know that he would one day need blood when he gave, he simply stepped up to be a hero and give the gift of life with no expectation of receiving something in return for his gracious gift.
Like many people who are considering giving blood for the first time, Josh was a bit nervous about the idea of nurses drawing blood through a needle according to his mother, Karen Willis. “Josh had never given blood until the December before his accident,” she explained. “He was anxious about the needle and what would happen if he got faint, and he was always busy just like most people. After he gave, he realized that his reward from giving was so great and that it was really a breeze,” she said.
In fact, giving blood was so rewarding to Josh that he vowed to give blood as much as he could for the rest of his life. Josh knew the importance of giving blood and being able to help people in need. After Josh’s accident, he and his family saw the importance of the gift of life first hand. “If a lot of people had not given blood, Josh never would have had a chance at life after the accident. He lost his fight, but because a lot of people gave of themselves he had a chance and we know that,” said Karen.
Karen said that she is always amazed at the turnout that the Josh Willis Memorial Blood Drive brings. “I really am always amazed at the amount of people there. There are people who give every time they are physically able to give, and then there are those who come maybe because they knew Josh or they knew of Josh,” she said. “He grew up in a small town and being born here and going through the public school system and being a member of First Baptist and other community events meant a lot of people knew and loved him.”
Josh gave of himself so that others may continue to live, and the chance for us to do the same as that incredible young man is here once again. Anyone who wants to give the gift of life and be a true hero, just like Josh, is welcomed with open arms. The Josh Willis Memorial Blood Drive will take place at First Baptist Church beginning at 8 a.m. and running to 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Interested parties may call (229) 924-2026, or visit redcrossblood.com and enter sponsor code PSMC to schedule an appointment.
Karen, husband Carl, and daughter Rebecca Willis encourage anyone who is considering giving blood to take that step and give the most valuable gift on earth while helping carry on the memory of an extraordinary young man. “To know that people love and support us and are answering the prayer of a mother’s heart that he will never be forgotten and his memory will live on is amazing,” said Karen.
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Josh Willis (69) gave blood for the first time just before hiss accident, and vowed to give blood as much as possible for the rest of his life. Submitted Photo
First Baptist Church prepared to host 6th Annual Josh Willis Memorial Blood Drive
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