CHARLOTTE, NC - An annual blood drive in Charlotte Sunday honored the life of a young boy who died from a rare disease. 

• Connor Jones was just three years old when he was diagnosed with lymphoma but his mom says he was able to beat the disease in just seven months
• Kylene Yando, Connor's mom, says his immune system was vulnerable after chemotherapy and was was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease in February 2013. Connor would lose his battle with the disease four weeks later
• Sunday, family and friends hosted their seventh annual blood drive to keep Connor's legacy alive while giving back to others

Connor Jones was just three years old when he was diagnosed with lymphoma but his mom says he was able to beat the disease in just seven months. 

Kylene Yando, Connor's mom, says his immune system was vulnerable after chemotherapy and was was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease in February 2013. Connor would lose his battle with the disease four weeks later. 

Sunday, family and friends hosted their seventh annual blood drive to keep Connor's legacy alive while giving back to others. 

"He received so many blood transfusions throughout his treatment, and people just don't recognize how important that is, Yando says. "It only takes like 30 minutes, but people might be scared of needles or whatever. There's so many people out there that need blood for several different reasons." "

The family is also collecting toy donations for pediatric cancer patients through mid-September. If you would like to donate toys, click here for more information and to see the toy wish list.