9TH ANNUAL QUEN TAYLOR BLOOD DRIVE

“You just don’t know how good it feels when you are laying in a hospital and see that unit of blood coming through the door. Giving blood is the most wonderful thing you can do, everyone can try. The recipient can’t duplicate the gift they have received…the gift of life.”
– Quen Taylor

The American Red Cross, Bank of North Carolina , 600-1200 WSJS, 104 WTQR and Wake Forest University Athletics are proud to sponsor the 9th Annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive on August 4, 2008. The drive will take place at First Baptist Church of Kernersville, 401 Oakhurst Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Quen Taylor may not be a name that you recognize but his voice is undeniably familiar from over the years. Taylor was the voice of Wake Forest Basketball for over 22 years, did voiceovers for WXII for eight years and was the official voice of WSJS for over 10 years. He also was heard on WTQR as Mike Weaver and 94.5 as himself before his death in 2001 from leukemia.
Taylor was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998 and doctors told him he had only five months to live. When his good friend Wayne Mabe visited him in the hospital, he asked Taylor if there was anything he could do for him. Taylor simply replied. “Make sure people keep giving blood.” Wayne decided that was exactly what he would do and he began working on a blood drive in honor of his dear friend.
Taylor never let his illness stop him from doing the things that he loved. He was so steadfast about not missing a Wake Forest game that he would often leave the hospital, go directly to the Coliseum, announce the game and return to his hospital bed immediately following the game. Taylor’s story is one that inspires and motivates us all to reach for the seemingly unreachable dreams even when the odds are against you. He had a dream that people would continue to donate blood so that there is always a ready supply for anyone who needs it.
“This is the 9th annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive and his memory lives on with the help of the town of Kernersville. Kernersville residents have really taken over this drive as a community drive. Many
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9th Annual Quen Taylor Blood Drive
American Red Cross 2

donors do not know who Quen was or why the drive is named for him, but they continue to come out and donate blood. My family is so grateful,” says Barbara Taylor, the widow of Quen Taylor.
If you would like to help fulfill Taylor’s dream, please take the time to make a blood donation at this drive. If you are 17 years or older or 16 years old with a parent’s written permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and in general good health, then you are an eligible blood donor. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Bank of North Carolina at 996-1776. Please bring a photo I.D.
Thanks to Wake Forest Athletics, each presenting donor will be given either a WFU basketball or football ticket while supplies last.
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