Special to BradleyBraves.com by Patrick Morey

PEORIA, Ill. - Bradley University has always been very good about giving back to people in need and that theme will continue Wednesday when the Braves Council partners with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity to co-host the 13th annual Megan Fong Blood Drive at the Markin Family Student Recreation Center.

Wednesday's blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the performance court at the Markin Center.

Bradley Athletics organized its first blood drive 15 years ago, then changed the name in 2003 in honor of former women's tennis player Megan Fong, who passed away in 2002 after battling leukemia.

Fong was a high school standout at Rockford Auburn. She won the singles conference championship three of her four years and went to the Illinois High School Association's States Singles Tournament her first three years of high school. She then went to the doubles tournament her senior year. She also earned conference MVP her junior and senior years. Fong then earned a scholarship for tennis from Bradley and went 7-7 as a freshman in singles play in 2001-02. She also made the dean's list that year.

Fong took part in the second annual Bradley Athletics blood drive, as well as the department's first bone marrow registry. She was diagnosed with leukemia just two months later. She went into remission in February 2002 and had hopes of returning to Bradley and the tennis court, but relapsed and passed away in August 2002 at the age of 18.

In addition to the annual blood drive, Bradley Athletics annually presents the Megan C. Fong Inspiration Award to an individual associated with the Department of Athletics who displays perseverance, dedication and determination when confronted with a life-altering event while serving as a role model and inspiration to others.

To sign up for the blood drive, please contact Braves Council President, Eric Delvo, at 217-720-0371 or go to www.redcross.org and choose "Donate Blood".