Blood drive, basketball tournament set for Marshfield teen with rare disease

Joel Barnes, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read
Patrick McLaughlin, 16, of Marshfield, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June. An event Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, will raise awareness and money in his name.
Patrick McLaughlin, 16, of Marshfield, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June. An event Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, will raise awareness and money in his name.

MARSHFIELD – Shoot some hoops and donate blood for a cause at the Points and Pints for Patrick event, which aims to help those affected by the rare disease aplastic anemia.

A Boston Children’s Hospital blood drive and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament inspired by Patrick McLaughlin, a 16-year-old Marshfield resident with the disease, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Marshfield Boys & Girls Club, 37 Proprietors Drive.

The event will raise awareness and money for those undergoing treatment.

Patrick was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June. Those with the condition have stopped producing enough new blood cells, leaving the body fatigued and more prone to infections and uncontrolled bleeding. Treatment can include medications, blood transfusions and stem-cell transplants.

The event will start with a blood drive for Boston Children’s Hospital from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The basketball tournament will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield CEO Jim Bunnell said the McLaughlin family has been active with the organization for years. Patrick's older brother Liam works at the club, and his parents are volunteers.

Patrick McLaughlin, 16, of Marshfield, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June.
Patrick McLaughlin, 16, of Marshfield, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in June.

“Their roots have been part of the Boys & Girls Club in Marshfield,” he said. “Patrick is exemplifying great courage."

Bunnell said he admires the patience Patrick has displayed while undergoing treatment, and said he is an inspiration to other patients fighting blood disorders. Friends, schoolmates and  others are all rallying around the family, Bunnell said.

Patrick plays for the Marshfield High School varsity basketball team, which inspired the tournament. There will be kids teams, family teams, teams from the police and fire departments, along with other organizations that put teams together. There will also be food, music and auctions to raise money.

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“A lot of good things will be going on at the same time,” Bunnell said. “They’re all rallying around this event.”

To make an appointment to donate blood, visit bostonchildrens.org/halfpints and use the sponsor code "BGCM."

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Reach Joel Barnes at jkbarnes@patriotledger.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Blood drive, basketball tournament to help Marshfield teen with aplastic anemia