NORTH FORSYTH — On Thursday, a north Forsyth middle school student is using a tragedy as a chance to help others.

From 3 p.m. to 5p.m., Little Mill will hold a blood drive in memory of Kayla Pirkle, a student who died in March following a car accident.

“I had talked to a few different people, and we just wanted to find a way to honor Kayla and her memory here at the school,” said Athena Fields, school nurse. “So we decided that a blood drive was a good way to do that and pay it forward in the community as well.”

And the date — Dec. 18 — was not without significance.

“[It] would have been Kayla’s 14th birthday,” Fields said. “We also have a basketball game here that evening, and we’re going to have a celebration for the family. [It’s a] big event, and we hope it’s just very touching for the family.”

The blood drive is open to the public, but there are certain qualifications to donate.

“Donors have to be at least 17, but they can be 16 with parental consent,” Fields said. “There is a weight minimum of 110 pounds, and they must be in good health. They must bring their photo ID.”

Donors will receive a complementary gift and be entered in a drawing to win a Chick-fil-A gift basket.