Rhode Island mother hosts second blood drive in honor of her heroic son’s legacy

A Rhode Island mother is making a difference on her son’s behalf.

“He was a spectacular guy and we miss him everyday,” said Summer Guerrieri about her son, Gianni.

He, along with three other young men, died in a car crash on I-95 in West Warwick on Oct. 5, 2021. He was 22.

Two years later, she chooses to focus on how he lived his life!

“After he passed, so many people reached out to me to tell me how he affected their lives, help people get out of dark places by talking to them and offering support and even making people feel comfortable when they often felt like outcasts,” recalled Guerrieri.

Guerrieri said he did that even in the face of his own adversity.

“He was burned at a sleepover,” said Guerrieri. “Both of his legs–32 percent of his body–third degree burns. He was in the hospital for 32 days. He had to receive several transfusions when he was in the hospital and that was in 2012 and after that, as soon as he was old enough he began donating on a regular basis.”

In fact, his senior project was on the importance of blood donations.

And even though he had suffered some pretty significant burns, he didn’t hesitate when someone was in trouble.

“There was a car accident at the end of our street and the car was then on fire and he pulled a woman from the vehicle and she came to his funeral as well,” said Guerrieri.

Two years later, she is planning a second blood drive in Gianni’s honor at Exeter West Greenwich High School on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 7p.m. This is in conjunction with the Rhode Island Blood Center.

“I read a quote that said the best way to carry on their legacy is to live how they lived ,” said Guerrieri, who now donates because of her son.

To sign up for this blood drive, enter sponsor code: 5103.