Chip's Army Blood Drive A Success

A blood drive held in memory of Charles "Chip" Pannhorst on Saturday was reportedly a success, collecting over 40 pints of blood.

The blood drive, held at the in West Babylon, had 50 people come through to donate their time and blood, according to Chip's sister Tobey Thurston. 41 pints of blood were collected from the donors altogether, surpassing the event goal of 40.

Each pint of blood can save as many as three lives, according to the American Red Cross.

Chip Pannhorst, a 1995 Babylon High School graduate, passed away earlier this year following a battle with leukemia after being diagnosed last June. During his first few weeks of treatments, friends and family members began reaching out asking what they could do to help. Tobey created a website to raise money for his medical expenses by selling t-shirts and tote bags.

The response was so overwhelming that on June 14, Chip’s family decided to set up the Charles Pannhorst Living Trust, now also known as Chip’s Army.

Unfortunately, Chip passed away, surrounded by family and friends, on April 17th of this year. From the point the "Army" had been created, it had raised over $15,000 for medical expenses. It had been Chip's dream all along, though, to beat his cancer and turn the Army into a non-profit organization. Today, his family and friends continue his fight.

To see more information on Chip's Army, visit their website here.