A community blood drive will be held April 7 in honor of Dumont local Sam Morreale.

The idea for the blood drive came from Morreale’s wife, Cyndy Morreale, who said she and Sam wanted to help the blood bank Sam has been using for his recovery. Sam, who in the past owned several Idaho Springs businesses, including Mangia!, has the bone-marrow diseases myelofibrosis and myelodysplasia syndrome.

Both cause severe chronic anemia that requires blood transfusions every three weeks.

Dumont residents for the past 10 years, the couple are temporarily living in Denver on doctor’s orders because Clear Creek County’s altitude is a problem with Sam’s red blood cell count being so low. They hope to return in May or June.

Sam is also in his third month of chemotherapy, which is designed to make his blood cells more efficient so he won’t need as many transfusions. However, the chemo often creates a drop in blood platelets, which in turn causes Sam to need a platelets transfusion every other day.

Cyndy said friends have been asking what they can do to help Sam out — such as give blood in his name. And that gave her an idea.

“… We realized that he’s just sucking it up constantly, and it would really be helpful to the (blood) bank to replenish it,” Cyndy said. “So I called Bonfils Blood Center and asked what did I have to do to have a blood drive.”

Bonfils suggested they host a blood drive in Idaho Springs at the recreation center in honor of Sam.

Cyndy said the blood drive is a way for Sam to give back to the community.

“You never really know when it might be your turn to need blood,” Cyndy said. “And there’s such a great need — whether you knew Sam or not, I think it would just be a real pay-it-forward to help replenish the bank for everyone who needs it.”

Meanwhile, Sam is eager to return home.

“I miss everyone in Clear Creek County, especially taking my walks down Miner Street in Idaho Springs and chatting with everybody,” Sam said. “I’m hoping to be home soon.”

Contact Ian Neligh at couranteditor@evergreenco.com, and check www.clearcreekcourant.com for updates and breaking news.