Cranberry Township resident and retired pastor Nick Protos is seen with his granddaughter, Sara Hagen.

After years of seeing her grandfather give himself — literally — to others, Sara Hagen decided to do the same.

Nick Protos, a Cranberry Township resident and retired local pastor, had a multiple myeloma relapse in May that left him needing seven transfusions of blood and blood products since then.

Because of her grandfather's need, and because she watched him donate blood until he was diagnosed in 2016, Hagen is coordinating a Vitalant blood drive at Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Valencia.

“My grandfather always put others ahead of himself,” Hagen said. “I decided to have a blood drive in 2017 to replenish the blood he had used, and with his relapse this year, I decided to host another one.”

Noting many people need blood or blood products to recover from surgery or manage chronic illnesses, Hagen said she's learned two important things from Protos' journey.

“I learned through his diagnosis that I was called to be a nurse,” Hagen said. “With his second bout, I learned that while we may not always agree with what God has planned, we just have to trust in Him.”

Hagen is currently quarantining with her grandparents to help her grandmother manage their home while Protos fights through his relapse. Citing a booklet issued by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Hagen said more than 5 million Americans receive transfusions annually.

Protos has had nearly half of his blood replaced since June, according to Hagen. Inviting the community to help replace the blood he's used is one way Hagen feels she can help make a difference.

“For me, it honors my grandpa and puts a patient face and name to a cause,” Hagen said. “Everyone nowadays wants to be a superhero. The simplest way to do that is to donate blood.”

The drive is slated from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18 at Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church along McFann Road in Valencia.

Hagen said Protos can use O-positive blood, but his transfusions need to be specifically typed to him because of an injection he takes to fight multiple myeloma.

While the blood drive is in her grandfather's name, Hagen said any blood type is welcome. Donations aren't going to him specifically, but to the church's Vitalant account to be given to others.

“Per his request,” Hagen said.

Those interested in donating can call Vitalant at 412-209-7000 to schedule an appointment.