Blood drive, greyhound event honors Naperville woman's passions
Emily Driscoll of Naperville was a 22-year-old aspiring nurse, regular blood donor and proud greyhound owner when she was struck by a car and killed last year.
Her family won't forget her musical talents as a violinist who could play by ear, her "salty personality" or her love for her longtime boyfriend and her rescued greyhound.
"She was definitely somebody that you'd want to invite to a party to keep the audience lively," her father Tim Driscoll said.
Relatives and friends will remember some of her best contributions Sunday with a blood drive and greyhound adoption event at the Lifesource Community Donor Center at 2764 Aurora Ave. in Naperville.
"It's basically just a tribute to her," Driscoll said.
Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., donors can give blood in memory of Emily, who was known for donating as often as is allowed, her father said.
"As soon as the 56 days expired, on the 57th day, she was there to donate," Driscoll said.
Emily also was known among members and volunteers with Greyhounds Only. The rescue will be on hand Sunday - in a tent outside the blood donation center - providing facts about greyhounds and letting people meet hounds available for adoption, said Linda Hay, a Greyhounds Only board member.
"It's in honor of a wonderful part of our community and group - both Emily as well as her pup, Quincy," Hay said.
Always an animal lover, Emily adopted Quincy from Greyhounds Only two or three years before her death.
"She took it upon herself and she was definitely on top of everything that the dog needed," Driscoll said.
Emily was walking with Quincy when a 74-year-old driver struck and killed them on Nov. 9, 2014, at the intersection of Book Road and Rickert Drive in Naperville. The driver was cited for disobeying a red light and failing to exercise due caution.
At Sunday's event, Emily's employer, trampoline center Sky High Sports, will be on hand to provide a free hour of bounce time, her father said. Culver's of Aurora, a corporate partner of Lifesource, will scoop free custard for all blood donors.
Owner Jim DiVerde said Emily's death moved him to help provide comfort to her family in any small way he could. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, his store at 509 Route 59 will donate 10 percent of sales to Greyhounds Only in Emily's name.
"My wife and I rescue dogs," DiVerde said, giving them an even stronger connection to Emily's passions and her story. "It touched our hearts."
If you go
What: Emily Driscoll blood drive and greyhound adoption event
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
Where: Lifesource Community Donor Center, 2764 Aurora Ave., Naperville
Who: Lifesource will accept blood donations, Greyhounds only will have adoptable hounds for a meet-and-greet, Culver's of Aurora will give free custard
Info: <a href="http://www.lifesource.org/events/">lifesource.org/events/</a>