Community donates blood in memory of mother and frequent blood donor

By: Nicole Roschella

Community members in Indiana County came out to donate blood in memory of a local mother, Judith Maschak, about a year after her passing. Maschak, 59, passed away on April 29, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Maschak's family chose to honor her with an American Red Cross blood drive near their hometown of Homer City. She was a frequent blood donor before her cancer diagnosis, giving nearly two gallons of blood. Maschak bravely battled Multiple Myeloma — a cancer of plasma cells — for more than eight years.

Maschak is lovingly remembered by her family as someone who never gave up and was always willing to help those in need.

"She was an amazing woman and is so, so, so missed. It's an honor that we are able to have this blood drive in her memory," said Samantha Maschak, Judith's daughter.

"We collected 14 units of blood over our goal," said Karen Sistek, a donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. "We had 11 first-time donors at the drive which is incredible!"

It’s critically important the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply for patients this summer. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).