(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It was March 2020 when Kim Benedyk Sandford succumbed to a rare form of cancer after an eight-year battle.
In that time, she and her sister Kristyn learned not only how important blood transfusions are in the treatment of disease and prolonging of life, but also that there remains a shortage of donated blood.
“It was actually her idea to start ‘A Pint for Kim,’ Kristyn Benedyk said. “She wanted to take everything that she went through and give it some kind of purpose.”
Benedyk has since spearheaded the annual A Pint for Kim blood drive in honor of her sister. In doing so, they’ve shattered Illinois records for the largest, single-location blood drive.
“The very first event was March 2020, just five days after she passed away,” Benedyk said. “We decided … that moving forward, we would always have the event the day before Mother’s Day, so that her boys — instead of that being a weekend that they would dread or we would all be tiptoeing around — we look forward to that weekend now, because it’s a celebration.
“It’s honoring her wishes and her legacy, and they can see the impact that their mom has made and continues to make.”
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Now in its fourth year, A Pint for Kim held its latest drive on Saturday at Naperville North High School, where Kim’s two sons are currently a freshman and a sophomore.
“For it to be at the school, I will admit I’ve gotten very overwhelmed and emotional at times when I see the level of support, because to know that her boys have that around them at all times is really heartwarming,” Kristyn Benedyk said.
As their aunt, she added, she wants to care for and protect them.
“To know that they’re going to school every day surrounded by all of these people who are rallying to make their late mom’s wishes come true is just beautiful,” Beneydk said.
A Pint for Kim features live bands, food trucks, a car show, an inflatable game area and face painting. Benedyk said they wanted to change what a blood drive looks like. A nearly $30,000 raffle is also planned.
The price of admission: A pint for Kim.
In addition to Saturday’s event, several smaller drives are planned in Kim’s honor. Visit the A Pint for Kim website for more information.
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