Thread by @ChetPowell

PLEASE🙏🏽...take a moment for a short thread👇🏽

Talia Joy Castellano died six years ago today.

I had been following this remarkable young lady after seeing her on @TheEllenShow. Talia was a 13 year-old who was wise beyond her years, perhaps because she would have so few of them.

@COVERGIRL made Talia an honorary Cover Girl after seeing her makeup tip videos on @YouTube. Talia was naturally beautiful, but her inner beauty surpassed even her physical appearance. There is no way of knowing just how many children (and adults) that Talia helped. 2/

As a result of fighting TWO forms of cancer for over six years (half her life) Talia had received thousands of units of blood, and, as her mom explained, Talia learned about the importance of blood donors the hard way, because of a blood supply shortage. 3/

Talia often spoke about the need for blood donors when doing TV and print interviews. She could articulately explain how someone needs blood every two seconds, the donor process, and how just ONE unit of blood can help to save THREE (3) lives. 4/

I've been a regular blood donor since I was 21 years old. In fact, I was at the @RedCross bloodmobile, lying on the gurney, giving my regular donation, when I learned via Twitter that Talia Castellano had died. I would have been upset anyway, but because of where I was, I had 4/

a difficult time remaining composed. I thought about how to turn it into something positive for Talia, so I had someone take a photo of me giving blood that day and posted it challenging others to give in Talia's name. I've done it every year since & I'll do it as long as I can.

So PLEASE🙏🏽Find a bloodmobile between TODAY & August 18th, Talia's birthday, donate blood in her memory, get someone to take a photo of you and post it challenging others to do the same using these hastags👇🏽

#TaliaJoyCastellano #TaliaJoy18 #JustKeepSwimming🐠 #donateblood♥️