The parents of Gabriel (Gabe) Hassan, the Wharton High graduate who passed away on Feb. 6 of this year from a rare form of leukemia, shortly after receiving his diploma, held a blood donation drive at the Islamic Society of New Tampaโs Masjid Daarusalam on May 10, in honor of what would have been their sonโs 18th birthday.
There were three OneBlood Bloodmobiles on hand at the blood drive, which began a few hours before the regular services at the New Tampa Mosque, located just north of Cross Creek Blvd., at 15830 Morris Bridge Rd.
Hundreds of worshipers, as well as District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera and State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Dist. 67), donated blood in Gabeโs honor and memory on his birthday. Gabeโs mom and dad, Carolyn & Mahmoud, were among those who donated blood in their sonโs honor. Carolyn, who shared her private writings about Gabe and his favorite things with the Neighborhood News (look for them in our May 28 New Tampa issue), said it was the first time she had ever donated blood.
The Neighborhood News story in the May 28 New Tampa issue will provide additional pictures and information for this story.
