21st annual Bobby Natalini Jr. Blood Drive set for Nov. 22 at St. Andrew Church

EAGLEVILLE >> Since 2003, the Bobby Natalini, Jr. Blood Drive has collected more than 2,100 blood donations and helped save 6,300 lives. And each year friends, former Norristown Area High School classmates and family of Natalini, who died in 2002 from a rare bone disease, come on in honor of the East Norriton native to help save more lives.
The 20th Annual Bobby Natalini Jr. Blood Drive will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 2725 Egypt Road, Eagleville  Nov. 22, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “Natalini.” You can also call 1-800-RedCross, or download the Blood Donor app.

Bobby Natalini Jr. attended Norristown Area High School. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, he received multiple blood transfusions. The blood he received from anonymous donors granted him more time with family and friends during his three year battle with the disease. He passed away in 2002, just two months before his 18th birthday.

“We originally started it the day before Thanksgiving, mostly because we knew Bobby’s friends would be home from college,” according to Natalini’s mother, Debbie Natalini. “We wanted to be thankful, even though we had such a loss and we wanted to give back to all the people who were so supportive of us during the three years that Bobby had been sick on and off. The Red Cross didn’t think that was a good time that people would want to come out but they did and so we kept with it. The date changes but it’s always Thanksgiving Eve.”

Guy Triano, CEO for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region, noted in 2020, “Patients from across our region rely on the generosity of blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure they have access to lifesaving treatments during this pandemic. The Red Cross is grateful to the Natalini family for their continued dedication to our mission. This year’s blood drive may look a different, but its impact remains critical.”

“We are forever grateful for the continued support year after year and look forward to seeing you all the day before Thanksgiving,” Debbie Natalini said. “We’re especially thankful this year, as we can celebrate Bobby’s memory all together – enjoying food, family, friends, and fellowship. Masks are optional.”