5th Annual Kody Lucas Memorial Birthday Blood Drive To Help Save Lives

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Kody Lucas was an old soul, wise beyond his years. He’s widely known for his 5 year battle with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a brain tumor causing him to undergo surgeries, chemo, therapy, and countless blood transfusions.

Diagnosed at the age of 14, doctors said he had a 20% chance to live 2 years, but he overwhelmingly beat those odds and lived for 5 years. He went on to graduate from Perry High School in 2011.

“He knew what his fate was, he knew what tomorrow could hold, but he was never going to let his dad and I see him upset,” said Kody’s mother Donna Moss.

His hospital homebound teacher Billy Thomas added, “Kody loved life, he wanted to do everything, he wanted to be involved in everything…”

On April 10, 2012 Kody reached his limit. Even in death, he continued to give through the Annual Kody Lucas Memorial Birthday Blood Drive. His only birthday wish was to do be able to do something, for someone else.

Blood drive coordinator and friend, Ellie Williams said, “Kody never met a stranger. He touched a lot of lives and through this, we continue to carry on his work.”

Kody’s own life was saved several times from blood transfusions. He could never give blood because of his condition, but he knew how to get others to do it. It was his idea to combine his birthday with a blood drive event.

“Kody wanted it to be a blood drive and a party because he wanted the kids to be there, having fun, eating cake, coloring, doing all the things that kids like to do but also in the back of their mind know their parents were in the other room giving blood,” said Moss.

He may not have lived a long life, but he lived a full one.

“I am forever thankful that I was loaned Kody Lucas for a little while because my life forever changed,” Moss said.

The 5th Annual Kody Lucas Birthday Blood Drive is Saturday, July 27 at Rozar Park in Perry. It is sponsored by Chords of Kindness, the Kody Brandon Lucas Fund through Jay’s Hope Foundation. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to sign up and donate.

The goal since the blood drive started in 2009 has been 200 units, but that hasn’t been met yet. Kody would have turned 21 on Monday, July 29.