The Kim family is holding a blood drive in honor of their son and brother, Gavin Kim, who passed away at age 16 in 2020.

Gavin Kim was an active, friendly, and much-loved member of the Kim family (which includes sisters Natalie and Coco and parents Kirk and Michelle Kim) and the Manhattan Beach community. A student at Mira Costa High School, he loved ice hockey, biking, skiing, traveling, adventuring, and hanging out with his friends.

Gavin was born with a heart defect and endured multiple surgeries throughout his life. He went into the hospital in November 2019 for open heart surgery. However, he developed complications that led to two more open heart surgeries, and tragically, he passed away in March 2020.

According to Children's Hospital L.A., its patients need approximately 2,000 units of blood and blood components each month as part of the life-saving care provided at the hospital. Platelets, the blood component necessary for clotting, are especially needed for children undergoing bone marrow transplant therapy or chemotherapy, and are the most frequently used blood component at the hospital.

To provide all of the necessary units of blood, the hospital needs to collect blood from approximately 800 donors per month.

Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are also welcome.