After Young Woman's Tragic Death, Bergen Borough Hosts Blood Drive In Her Honor

HO-HO-KUS, NJ — Members of a Bergen County community donated the gift of life in memory of a young woman who died last year, according to a news release.

Molly Pearson, a Ho-Ho-Kus native, was hit by a truck in New York City's West Village last November while riding a scooter. She died four days later at the age of 24, "after having received more than 200 units of blood in a valiant struggle for life."

The Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Pearson's family held a blood drive recently with Vitalant, a nonprofit blood services provider. They collected 86 pints of blood and blood products at the First Annual Molly Pearson Memorial Blood Drive, according to a news release.

“This drive was absolutely wonderful,” said Molly’s mother, Margaret Pearson. “I definitely want to make this an annual event.”

Rob Hatch, Vitalant’s Manager of Donor Recruitment, added: “Molly’s family took a horrible tragedy and transformed it into something positive. They truly are amazing people.”