L-83 dedicates blood drive to member’s son

Red Cross Worker Pennie Rockhold collects blood from Kris Kennedy during the drive.

A LOCAL 83 (Kansas City, Mo.) blood drive conducted August 8 at the lodge’s training center held special meaning for those who donated to the Red Cross effort. The collection was named for Conon Kennedy, the two-year-old son of member Kris Kennedy and his wife, Melaina. Conon passed away Jan. 15, 2014, following a struggle with Crohn’s disease. Conon had received a bone marrow transplant and numerous blood infusions before succumbing to the disease.

“I’d like to thank everybody that came out to support the blood drive,” said Melaina Kennedy. “The support from Local 83 has been wonderful.”

“Credit for putting the blood drive together goes to Scot Albertson,” said BM-ST Joe Lewandowski. “Scot organized the event and made sure that it was named in honor of Conon.”