09/14/11 You can bring hope to a child’s life in the time it might take to eat lunch with a friend.
By donating blood through the American Red Cross, you can help provide the blood some children may need for their ongoing cancer care. With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, blood donors are encouraged to make and keep appointments and help children beat serious disease.
“Donated blood and platelets can play an enormous role in cancer care and treatment,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Chances are, there’s a child or a family waiting for the gift you can give.”
An upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, September 20th from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. at Ancilla College in the Evergreen Room. Everyone donating blood will be entered into a drawing for a $25 shopping spree. Call the Red Cross to schedule you donation appointment.
Transfusions of red cells and platelets can help save a patient’s life, or dramatically improve their quality of life from day-to-day. Leukemia and other cancers can cause anemia and internal bleeding, chemo and radiation can lower blood counts, and cancer-related surgeries can result in blood loss.
According to the National Cancer Institute, about 10,400 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer in a typical year. Of those childhood cancer patients, about one-third will have some form of leukemia. Many forms of leukemia respond to current medical care, including the most prevalent: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL.
“When you give blood, you give hope,” said Whitman. “We often hear from families who say that because blood was there, their child has a chance to grow up and enjoy every moment. Just think of the power your donation can bring.”
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission inIndianaandOhio), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and centralIndianaand northwesternOhio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, theAmerican Red Crossalso provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link betweenU.S.military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.07/11AP0516
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood
