On Sept. 25, 2011, during a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan Marine Corporal Doug Vitale was seriously injured by an IED explosion. He was the squad leader of the patrol and stepped on the device when walking in an area through which several of his men had already walked.
His men saved his life with their quick reaction, they placed tourniquets on his legs and got him airlifted.
Doug is hospitalized at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after treatment in Afghanistan and Germany. He has suffered amputations of both legs as well as a severe traumatic brain injury, and he recieved more than 80 units of blood products in the first 24 hours.
Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Doug is married to grad Alexis Abraham, and is the son-in-law of Chuck and former school board president Denise Abraham.
Please schedule an appointment to donate blood at this drive by logging on to www.centralbloodbank.org using sponsor code ZRTN0869 or by calling Pam Slomiany at 412-551-8039.
Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A fund has been established in trust for Doug & Alexis. Donations can be made to:
Douglas Vitale Fund
c/o Washington Financial Bank
3616 Washington Road
McMurray, Pa. 15317
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
