Tennessee mother hosts blood drive to honor son who died in accidental shooting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Middle Tennessee mother is honoring her son's memory by hosting a community blood drive nearly one year after he died from an accidental gunshot wound.

Ginny Dill partnered with TriStar Skyline Medical Center to organize the Blood Assurance Blood Drive on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the TriStar Skyline Auditorium. The date marks nearly one year since her son Austin Dill's death.

Austin required multiple blood transfusions after being airlifted to TriStar Skyline Medical Center following the accidental shooting. Dill said the donated blood gave her precious final moments with her son, and now she is encouraging others to donate blood.

The blood drive aims to help trauma patients like Austin by ensuring adequate blood supplies are available for emergency situations. Blood donations are critical for trauma cases, surgeries and other medical emergencies at the medical center.

The community blood drive runs until 2 p.m. Thursday at TriStar Skyline Medical Center's auditorium.

Watch the full story and hear more from Ginny Dill about how this blood drive honors her son's memory and helps other families facing medical emergencies. Have a story tip or want to share how blood donation has impacted your family? Contact Eric at Eric.Pointer@NewsChannel5.com.

This story was reported by Eric Pointer and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Eric Pointer and our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Tenn. mom invites son's organ recipients to do his favorite activity, dance

Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.

Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.

Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.

- Rhori Johnston