September 23, 2026 – A retired Decatur Public Schools educator is turning his experience with cancer and blood transfusions into an effort to help others.
Vincent Clayton recently hosted his third annual community blood drive in partnership with ImpactLife. The September 21st drive was held in the parking lot of Montessori Academy of Peace Magnet School.
Clayton was working as a teaching assistant at Montessori Academy of Peace when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021.
During his treatment, which included chemotherapy, Clayton received multiple blood transfusions at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Clayton says those transfusions helped him continue his treatment and ultimately played a role in saving his life.
Clayton continued working through much of his treatment before retiring from Decatur Public Schools in June 2026. He credits the support of his colleagues, church family and friends with helping him through his cancer journey.
Clayton is now in remission.
His annual blood drive is an opportunity to give back and help make sure blood is available for patients who need transfusions.
