The Red Cross is gearing up for a very special blood drive to honor an inspirational Omaha man.
On December 5, 2007 Fred Wilson was working as a manager at Von Maur at the Westroads Mall when his whole life would change.
Wilson was critically wounded when a shooter opened fire in the store, killing eight and wounding many more. "I was shot in the upper right shoulder and was told in the passing of days that as a result of that I lost so much that there was no blood to bleed."
He underwent numerous surgeries and too many blood transfusions to count. “I miraculously survived my serious injuries, although I had lost much blood and was near death.”
Then tragedy struck Wilson again in June of 2013 when a fire tore through his apartment building. Wilson would escape the fire unharmed, but lost his home and all of his belongings.
Once again, the Red Cross was there to help Wilson through another harrowing time in his life.
Now the Red Cross is honoring Wilson and his incredibly resilient spirit with a blood drive.
Wilson says that without the Red Cross and the people who donated, he wouldn't be alive, so he hopes people will donate to save a life. "The need for blood is great and as I've said, one never knows when one will need blood or when one's loved ones will need blood. So it impacts all of us."
On Tuesday, April 4 the Red Cross encourages the community to celebrate Wilson and donate in his honor.
Red Cross volunteers will also be on hand during the drive to provide fire safety tips and help craft individual fire escape plans.
The drive runs from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM at the Omaha Chapter at 2912 S 80th Avenue, and the Loess Hills Blood Donation Center in Council Bluffs at 705 N. 16th Street.
For more information about how to sign up to donate visit the Red Cross website here.