Blood donations needed for UT Alumnus, drive set for Sept. 4

Former Talon sports editor Jeremy Cotham fighting leukemia.

A  special University blood drive benefiting UT Tyler alumnus Jeremy Cotham of Longview is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 4 at Carter Blood Care, 815 S. Baxter in Tyler.

Cotham, 23, graduated with a journalism degree in May and was diagnosed with leukemia later in the summer. He is being treated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and is in desperate need of blood and blood platelets.

Jeremy is an award-winning journalist who served as sports editor for the Patriot Talon.His blood type is A positive; however, other blood types can be accepted and processed as platelets.

The center is accepting whole blood or platelet donations on his behalf, but pre-registration is required to participate in the University’s blood drive.

Carter officials ask that participants pre-register through the Talon office so a tally of donors can be forwarded to the center prior to the event.

To participate, contact Jacque Hilburn-Simmons at 903-565-5536 or patriotads@yahoo.com.

Those who cannot participate in the drive can assist Jeremy by specifying their blood donation be made to the account number SPON048108, benefiting Jeremy Cotham.

Cash donations also will be accepted at the Talon newsroom, with all proceeds to assist Jeremy and his family with travel expenses to and from Houston.