Blood drive honors Milwaukee Hispanic leader Maria Monreal Cameron

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Community members gathered at the Marcus Performing Arts Center to donate blood for a special cause on Sunday, July 18.

The blood drive was done in honor of Maria Monreal-Cameron, the former president and chief executive officers of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. She died earlier this year from cancer. Monreal-Cameraon was known for her impact and leadership role in the Latino community of Milwaukee.

Organizers of the event were happy to see support.

"The response has been great. In the last couple months of Maria's life she was in need of blood products so you know just putting out the call to the community and asking them to sign up and donate in her honor has been tremendous so the community has definitely come out to support and remember her that way," Eileen Figueroa, coordinator of volunteer services for Versiti, said.

Those who donated got a copy of Monreal-Cameron's memoir, a code to redeem a Summerfest ticket, and a Papa Murphy's coupon for free pizza.

Those who donated were also treated to snacks and beverages. Organizers of the blood drive say they hope this sparks the importance of donating blood in a time when there's severe blood shortages.