Blood Drive in Memory of Retired Oak Park Fire Department Lieutenant

Fellow firefighters and friends of retired Oak Park Fire Department Lt. Thomas "Monk" Hawkins will gather from 2:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the Elks Lodge, 711 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, for a LifeSource-sponsored blood drive in his memory.

The 70-year-old retired firefighter lost his battle with cancer in May, and received more than 40 units of blood during his treatment. This LifeSource blood drive will honor his memory, and his family and friends ask the public to donate blood as a way to celebrate his life.

"Lt. Hawkins was more than a firefighter," says Oak Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Wiley, who adds that the former firefighter served the department from 1972 until 2003. "Monk had a great sense of humor, and he carried this humor through his mentoring to many young firefighters."

Hawkins is survived by his widow, Frances, and three adult children.

Appointments for this blood drive are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768, or visiting www.lifesource.org and using sponsor code 100G. For more information, contact LifeSource account manager Suzanne Hammer at 847-224-9203, or via e-mail at shammer@itxm.org.

Along with hosting daily blood drives, LifeSource operates 19 community donor centers and four fixed sites with regular operating days and hours. In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification.