Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 2/25/16. Nathan Sexton, 29, head of the Business Intelligence department for Bellhops, goes on a 5k lunch training run on Thursday, February 25, 2016. Sexton is eight and a half months into a fight with brain cancer. His initial prognosis was that he’d have 15 months to live so he decided to make the most of it and train to compete in the Chattanooga Marathon half marathon on March 6. Chattanooga residents are encouraged to give blood Friday in honor of Nathan Sexton, a local husband and father who is battling stage 4 brain cancer.
Bellhops, the start-up moving company where Sexton works, and Coyote Logistics are hosting the blood drive beside the Warehouse Row entrance on 11th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in partnership with Blood Assurance.
Sexton suffered a series of seizures last June and was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Since his diagnosis, the 29-year-old has taken up distance running. He defeated his own goals – and all of his coworkers – in the Chattanooga half marathon and has participated in several area road and trail races since.
On May 30, he finished the Chattanooga Chase, a hilly 8K race, in 34:37, which is a6:59 mile pace.
Sexton is currently enrolled in a clinical trial at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“Nate is a man of determination and integrity who deserves to feel every ounce of love and support that the community has given him during this challenging time,” Bellhops co-founder Cameron Doody said in a news release. “We hope that many people will consider supporting Nate by making a blood donation on Friday in his honor.”
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weight 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors asked to drink plenty of fluids – avoiding caffeine – and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. Appointments are not required for the blood drive, but they are encouraged and can be made here.