The Shehadey Tower at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State was lit red at 5 a.m. on Sept. 10, in observance of Blood Cancer Awareness Month as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Turn It Red Campaign that includes national landmarks across the country being lit red to mark the fight against the third-leading cancer killer.

Participating local organizers will meet Monday morning at the Shehadey Tower located at Shaw and Chestnut avenues to launch the month-long observance designed to remind the public that, despite progress, much work still needs to be done to save more lives.

The event also helps promote the University’s first blood drive of the academic year, including  an organ and tissue donor registry drive, from Sept. 18 through 20.

The campus blood drive will kick off from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, in the University Dining Hall and continue 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 19 and 20.  Bloodmobiles will be parked near the University Student Union and at the Maple Mall (south of the Satellite Student Union).

For Blood Cancer Awareness month, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has engaged several iconic national landmarks that will be lit red to raise awareness, such as Niagara Falls in New York, and the LAX Pylons at the Los Angeles International Airport.

“We’re thrilled that the Shehadey Tower is turning red for LLS during Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September,” said Debbie Truhett, LLS executive director. “When someone experiences the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, LLS provides hope, guidance, education and support. The work of our partner organizations, Fresno State and Central California Blood Center, can be lifesaving for many patients in this community like Fresno State freshman and leukemia survivor, Makayla Weaver.”

Weaver was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2007. She had multiple blood transfusions and received chemotherapy. Her cancer went into remission in 2009.

For more information about Fresno State’s Turn It Red event or the Fresno State Blood Drives, contact Taylan Bennett at 559.278.7063 or tbennett@csufresno.edu. For the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and its national campaign, contact Bethanie Mills at 559.490.6949 or bethanie.mills@lls.org. For the student Be The Match Chapter, contact Monica Solis at 559.278.1667 or monicasolis@csufresno.edu.