Alvin Community College to host blood drive July 16

Alvin Community College in Alvin will hold a blood drive in honor of Cheryl Knape, a member of the college board of regents, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16 in the Nolan Ryan Center on campus.

Knape suffered severe internal injuries on June 6 after the hooves of a 1,400-pound cow came down on her back. She underwent surgery at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and was then flown by LifeFlight to the Texas Medical Center.

She was treated in the Shock Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Knape received six units of blood during her treatment and is now recovering at home. She and her husband, Greg, have the Gulf Coast Large Animal Clinic in Alvin.

The Soroptimist Club of Alvin, a local chapter of the national women's volunteer organization, is hosting the blood drive to honor Knape, who is a Soroptimist member.

"This is our way of doing something to help out and show our support for Cheryl," said Wendy Del Bello, blood drive chairman, in a press release.

Nolan Ryan Center is located at 3110 Mustang Road in Alvin.

To schedule a donation, call Del Bello at 281-756-3600 or visit www.giveblood.org.