Red Cross Blood Drive to be Held in Honor of Officer Greg Alia
“My husband Greg loved his community and loved to give back. Now, it is our turn.”
– Kassy Alia Ray
The community is invited to donate blood in honor of Officer Greg Alia at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, May 17 from noon to 6 p.m. at Forest Acres City Hall at 5209 North Trenholm Road in Columbia.
“Please come out and donate blood on May 17th in honor of my husband Greg. He loved his community and loved to give back. Now, it is our turn,” said Kassy Alia Ray, Officer Alia’s widow.
Officer Greg Alia was born August 23, 1983. Officer Alia had served with the Forest Acres Police Department for seven years before he was killed in the line of duty in 2015, leaving behind his wife and 6-month-old son. Following her husband’s death, Kassy Alia Ray founded Serve & Connect in his honor, an organization dedicated to building relationships and fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Donate blood in memory of Officer Greg Alia
Monday, May 17th
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Forest Acres City Hall
5209 North Trenholm Road, Columbia
As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic, blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities. The need for blood is constant and must constantly be replenished due to the short shelf-life of blood. With more and more individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the Red Cross wants people to know that, in most cases, there is no blood donation deferral time after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
However, knowing the name of the vaccine manufacturer is important in determining blood donation eligibility.
