Asher Banks Memorial Blood Drive Returns to Juneau for Cancer Patients

The fourth annual Asher Banks Memorial Blood Drive runs from October 2 through October 9, 2026, at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center located at 8800 Glacier Highway, Suite 236, juneauempire.com reported. The statewide donation effort is organized by Nuvision Credit Union in memory of Asher Banks, who died of leukemia three years ago at age three.

While Nuvision organized the memorial drive to encourage donations, only about 2% of Alaskans donate blood each year according to Blood Bank of Alaska figures cited by the credit union. In contrast, organizers note that roughly one in three residents will need donated blood at some point during their lives.

Amy Tullos, Nuvision’s vice-president of branches and Asher’s grandmother, stated that watching the child’s illness showed her family how heavily patients depend on donated blood.

Cancer is only rare until it impacts your family.

Amy Tullos, juneauempire.com

Family members have continued asking the public to give in Asher’s memory so other households facing serious illness have more time with their loved ones.

Where Juneau Donors Give

Juneau is one of several Alaska communities participating in the statewide campaign alongside Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, and Wasilla. Donations made during the October 2–9 window at the Juneau regional center can be credited directly to the Asher Banks drive.

Participants are required to call 907-222-5680 to schedule an appointment, identify their contribution as part of the memorial drive, and bring a Nuvision donor slip along with photo identification required by the Blood Bank of Alaska. Whole-blood donors typically spend about an hour at the center, with the collection process taking roughly 15 minutes.

Who Needs the Blood

Last year’s drive drew more than 50 donors across participating Alaska communities, with organizers estimating the collected blood helped as many as 150 patients. A single blood donation can be separated into distinct components utilized by different individuals.

Blood Bank of Alaska distributes the collected products to patients undergoing cancer treatment, individuals scheduled for surgery, and people injured in traumatic events.

Requirements and Statewide Culmination

Potential donors must weigh at least 113 pounds, while 16- and 17-year-olds are required to provide signed parental consent. Travel history, medications, and medical background can also determine whether an individual is eligible to give. Organizers advise participants to drink plenty of water and eat beforehand.

The statewide campaign concludes on October 9 with a final drive at Nuvision’s Anchorage financial center. Juneau residents can complete their donations locally throughout the week without waiting for the Anchorage event.