Leigh Stein came to the first Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drive of the summer to donate for her father, Daniel, who was a consistent donor at the drives for several years alongside his friend Irving Younger before both lost their lives during the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in October.
While Ms. Stein was unable to donate at Monday’s drive, she said it was “comforting” to honor her father by participating in something he was passionate about.
“I just envision my dad down here with his friends doing his thing,” said Ms. Stein, 43, of Shadyside. “I wish he was here with me today. I wish this was something we could have experienced together, not a tradition that I wanted to continue because of a tragedy that occurred.”
Monday’s Pirates Blood Drive and the remaining four this summer will honor Mr. Stein and Mr. Younger, who donated blood for several years and often recruited friends to participate, too.
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