LANDRUM — Eliza Cait Millwood was only 10 years old when she passed away from leukemia earlier this month.

On Wednesday, more than 60 community members gathered at Landrum High School to give blood in her name.

The Blood Connection sent two mobile buses with four beds each and a total of eight to nine staff members for the blood drive. The Blood Connection is a nonprofit community blood bank for upstate South Carolina.

“It’s a karma thing,” said Landrum High School economics teacher Josh Fowler. “I try to donate whenever I can.”

Fowler said he also wanted to donate in memory of Millwood, who was a student at Landrum’s O.P. Earle Elementary School.

“You never know when somebody needs help or when I will need it,” he said.

Blood Connection Donor Services Account Coordinator Stephanie Edlin said each person offering to donate is screened for health. The staff asks a series of health questions, and takes the donor’s temperature, blood pressure and pulse. They also check to see if the donor is on any medications that can prevent them from donating blood.

The staff also provides snacks and soft drinks, and everyone who donated Wednesday received a free T-shirt.

“I know Eliza’s family,” said Sandy Clayton, of Landrum. “She found out only two months ago that she had leukemia. She went home on Good Friday with the cancer in remission and died from an infection the Monday after Easter. [The Blood Connection is] doing this to honor her and raise funds for her family.”

A press release issued by Spartanburg District One Schools stated that, for each unit of donated blood, $25 would go to support the Millwood family. Edlin explained that leukemia treatment can take a lot of blood, and each unit that is donated in the patient’s name can help the family with medical bills.

“It’s like putting it back on the shelves,” Edlin said.

For more information about the Blood Connection or to donate in Millwood’s name, visit www.thebloodconnection.org.