B Positive 4 Shawn Blood Drive Honors Heart Transplant Recipient and Raises Funds, Awareness About Organ Donation
B Positive 4 Shawn Blood Drive Benefit is being hosted by Daiq’s Restaurant & Lounge, one of Houston’s favorite spots for cocktails and Cajun cooking. The benefit takes place this Sunday, June 4, 2023, from 12pm to 3pm at their restaurant, located at 7333 W Sam Houston Pkwy S., Suite 101, in Houston! The event will honor Shawn Franklin, a 43-year-old Houston native and recent heart transplant recipient, while raising funds, awareness about organ donation, and collecting blood donations.
Daiq’s will also donate 15% of the proceeds from patrons this Sunday to #BPositive/#BPositive4Shawn, a campaign dedicated to supporting organ transplant recipients and their families!
About Shawn Franklin
Shawn Franklin, an Air Force veteran, husband, and father of four, received a life-saving heart transplant last weekend at Memorial Herman Hospital. His personal story is deeply intertwined with the impact of heart disease on his family. He grew up on the Southwest side of Houston and from his early teen years to his early twenties, his family went through a host of medical tragedies associated with heart disease.
His younger brother, Keith Franklin, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 17. Sadly, Keith passed away in 2004 at just 19 years old. Four years later, they lost their father to the same disease. Shawn’s father, Claudis Franklin, died on Christmas day in 1999 and received a heart transplant at the age of 43. Ironically, the same age Shawn is now.
Losing his younger brother and father to the same condition motivated Franklin to take charge of his health. Despite his efforts, he contracted COVID 19 earlier this year and was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He battled the disease for months before a donor match was found. Today, Shawn Franklin is on the road to recovery at Memorial Herman Hospital, after a successful heart transplant.
Sunday’s “B Positive 4 Shawn” Blood Drive Benefit is being organized by Franklin’s wife, Arlene Lightfoot-Franklin, Daiq’s, and other Houston organizations and volunteers to raise awareness about life-saving blood and organ donation. The benefit will feature family-friendly activities, education and organ donor registration, a blood drive, and entertainment for children, along with Daiq’s delicious food and tasty beverages!
Donate Life Texas & Be the Match
Ambassadors from DONATE LIFE TEXAS and “Be The Match” will be at the event to help register donors and answer any questions about blood, organ, bone marrow or stem cell donation (the primary donor qualification is to be 18-40 years of age). Kids at the event can enjoy free face painting, a bounce house, balloon animals, and a special appearance by Bippy the Clown!
Daiq’s is inviting the community to join them this Sunday, June 4, from 12pm-3pm at the Restaurant & Lounge to honor Shawn Franklin and help make a difference in the lives of transplant recipients and their families while enjoying a fun-filled, family-friendly event!
About Daiq’s
Daiq’s, located at 7333 W. Sam Houston Pkwy South, Suite 101, is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere, luscious frozen cocktails, and a delectable array of elevated Southern-Cajun cuisine, including Shrimp Etouffee, Loaded Cajun Pasta, Lamb Chops, Louisiana-style Crawfish, and an amazing weekend brunch!
For more information visit https://www.daiqshtx.com.
