Big Battle for a Little Girl

Written by Jan Hale, American Red Cross Blood Services
 

We most often hear of life-altering diseases affecting their victims later in life. While these are always hard stories to tell and to receive, they seem to be all the more heart-breaking when the life they are affecting has just begun.

At only 3 years old, Reece Griffin was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) on April 16, 2015. ALL is a potentially life-threatening illness that can cause bone or joint pain, reoccurring infections and fatigue. Reece has had to receive numerous blood transfusions since her diagnosis, and she still has a long way to go.

On July 14, the American Red Cross is operating a blood drive in honor of Reece. We would like to encourage area residents to honor her and all of the other patients in the DFW metroplex in need of blood this summer by donating at the event.

“We can never thank those that rolled up a sleeve to give the blood that Reece has already received,” said Reece’s mom, Roxxy Griffin. “But, we can help educate our friends, neighbors and others on the importance of giving blood, especially during summer.”

The summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. Many regular donors are traveling and vacationing, so summertime donors are extremely vital to ensuring that our area hospitals receive enough blood to fulfill patient needs. Blood donors with all types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, are urged to make an appointment.

Donate Blood in Honor of Reece McKenzie Griffin

Tuesday, July 14, 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Math/Science/Technology Magnet School

450 Abrams Road, Richardson, Texas

To make an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org (Sponsor code: reecemckenzie) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Local Woman Saves Lives in Memory of Husband

by Jan Hale, Communications Program Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services

John Sills with 6-month old daughter, Sydnee Grace

What would you do if your life had been touched not once, but twice by the unselfish act of strangers? Trinity Meadows School Nurse Alicia Dunn knows more than most the importance of donating blood, with her husband receiving many units before his death from non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a close friend also fighting cancer and currently receiving blood. She choose to use her experiences as a reason to pay it forward by coordinating the first-ever blood drive at Trinity Meadows Intermediate School.

The drive was held in memory of Dunn’s husband, John Sills (pictured here with his daughter) and in honor of friend, Ricky Dean. Sills battled non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 16 months before passing away in March 2009. He received approximately 61 pints of blood and blood products during his battle with the disease.

“My daughter and I are so thankful for the time we had with John,” Dunn said. “We can never repay the generous blood donors who helped give us that time, but we can pay it forward.”

Rickey Dean, currently fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Dean is currently undergoing treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and has, to date, received three pints of blood and blood products. As plans are finalized for a stem cell transplant, Dean is expected to need more blood. 

In total, 22 units of blood were collected at the drive last week.

The timing of this blood drive is important to the American Red Cross as we look ahead to the long, hot summer. We are hoping this drive can serve as a reminder to put donating blood on your list of important things to do in May and throughout the summer months. To make your blood donor appointment, click on www.redcrossblood.org. 

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Blood Donations en Espanol

by Raul Jaurequi, volunteer contributor

I popped out of bed early on a Saturday morning and made my way from Dallas to Fort Worth with one mission in mind--I wanted to sit down and talk with a gentleman named Fernando Raga, a member of All Saints Catholic Church for the past 40 years. Raga had orchestrated a blood drive for his Latino community and in honor of Diversity Awareness Month, I wanted to know why Raga feels it’s so important for Latinos to donate blood. 

When I encountered Raga, he was moving around fast in the back rooms, pointing volunteers to their assigned areas and taking care of all the details. He squeezed in a few minutes to sit down with me in a quiet room. 

The story I heard from Raga was one that inspired me to take action, and I hope it will inspire you too. 

Like most people, Raga had a personal reason to encourage blood donations. His wife requires regular blood transfusions so he knows first-hand how critical it is to have blood available the second it’s needed. He coordinates regular blood drives, not just for his wife, but for the many people like her who require blood on a regular basis. His goal is to get at least 23 pints of blood donated at each drive. 

A high percentage of Latinos have the universal blood type, which means that our blood can be used by anyone and at any time. 

“You don’t realize that blood is needed until the tragedy happens,” said Raga. “But why wait?”

He’s right. Why wait to donate blood? Life is unexpected for all of us, but we can make certain choices now to help us prepare for those unexpected emergencies, and provide hope for those going through tough times. Maybe it’s a child who needs blood, a new mother who hemorrhaged during childbirth or a cancer patient fighting for survival. Blood is needed every minute, every day. 

After speaking with Raga, I too was inspired. So I hopped up on the bed and gave a pint. You can do the same, and you don’t have to be Latino. Go to www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate and to set up a community blood drive in your area. Each donation can save up to three lives. That’s inspirational in any language. 

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Donations Give New Dad a Chance at Life

Written by Katie Josephson, volunteer contributor

The need is constant. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood. But the benefits of this act of service are immediate and blood donors are providing life-saving donations.

Margaret Glasgow describes how her son Chris benefited from the donations of many local residents following a recent accident.

“Since Chris was a young boy he had a special "gift" with horses and at one point even considered going to the Olympics in the Hunter Jumper arena,” said Margaret Glasgow. “This love moved him into the field of horse racing as a self-employed trainer.”  

“Chris and his wife were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child, so he was trying to work as many horses as possible to earn extra money. He was exercising with a horse for an upcoming race out at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX.  As he was returning to the barn, the horse became spooked and flipped on top of him, pinning Chris against the pavement.”

“His life was saved because of his safety equipment, which had to be cut from his body. Fortunately Chris was not paralyzed, but had to endure two surgeries and will have a long recovery (about one year) where he won't be able to earn a living for his family and new son.  Because he was self-employed, he didn’t have private insurance to cover the blood used during the surgeries.”  

Margaret works at the IRS, which she describes as a big internal family that pitches in and helps one another out when needed. Her co-workers organized a blood drive with the Red Cross to support Chris and they also donated gift cards to the young family.

“I was blown away by the support we received from my co-workers and community. One of the volunteers even donated blood twice because he was eligible. He literally jumped up on the table and encouraged everyone to give.”

Margaret’s son Chris is currently recovering from his surgeries and taking care of his healthy new son. “We are so grateful to those of you who have selflessly given blood to replace his. Thank you from the depths of our hearts.”

To find out where you can donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733 2767).

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Ethan Campbell: 13-Year-Old With a Heart of Gold

Written by Kimberly Hill, American Red Cross staff contributor

Ethan Campbell is only 13 years old, but he has experienced a lot — both good and bad — in such a short amount of time. And now he’s the perfect example of perseverance.

“When he was young, he had a lot of trouble concentrating in school, and social situations were often difficult for him,” said Erlynne Campbell, his mother.

Ethan was diagnosed with severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at an early age then Asperger Syndrome a few years later.

"ADHD and Asperger Syndrome have definitely affected Ethan’s ability to function in school and social situations, but they also give him the ability to think completely outside the box and see the world through an entirely different lens,” Erlynne said. “Ethan is a remarkable young man. He has always been extremely curious about the world around him and fascinated with the way things work.”

Erlynne said Ethan is an “excellent” student. He just finished the eighth grade, where he took advanced courses and earned mostly As. He already has three high school credits, and he’s taking two additional high school classes this summer just to be ahead.

“He has big plans to become a robotics engineer when he grows up,” Erlynne said.

But for the time being, he is more focused on his Eagle Scout project. This Saturday, June 30, Ethan will host an American Red Cross blood drive for the Allen community.

“He chose to do this blood drive with the Red Cross because he wanted to perform a completely charitable act that would make a profound difference in a lot of people’s lives,” his mother said. “Ethan is a very kind and compassionate young man. As his parents, we feel we are blessed to have him as our son — he has definitely made a profound impact on us.”

Kelly Carlin, the Red Cross donor recruitment representative for the drive, said she has become close to the Campbell family through Ethan’s project.

“He is a very special young man,” she said. “He is so incredibly intelligent that the level he is on is way beyond the average person. I have just fallen in love with this family (which also includes Chris, his father, and Tristan, his younger brother) and will probably be in their life forever.”

But as Ethan has worked on his project, he has run into quite a few challenges. For one, the drive is scheduled for the middle of the summer, when many of his friends and fellow church members will be out of town and unable to donate.

“He is working so hard to get sign-ups and is realizing the struggle the Red Cross runs into every day, and that is to convince people to donate,” Carlin said.

While Ethan’s social disorder makes it difficult for him to express himself to others, he has spent time scripting what he is going to say before he says it, Erlynne explained.

“His confidence has grown in leaps and bounds as he has approached groups, store owners and complete strangers to ask them to help spread the word and to donate blood,” she said. “He has been so encouraged by the positive feedback people have given him, and it’s a joy to see the strength and leadership he has developed through this experience.”

Saturday’s blood drive with the Red Cross will be the final step in Ethan’s journey toward Eagle Scout. He hopes to be awarded with the rank advancement before he turns 14, his mother said.

The drive will be at the east Allen chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1404 E. Main St., in Cultural Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments to donate at Ethan’s drive are not required but can be made at www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Niki Taylor, Nexcare help Red Cross kick off World Blood Donor Day campaign

written by Kimberly Hill, staff contributor

These limited edition bandages are going to Red Cross blood donors at select locations!



In 2001, world-renowned supermodel Niki Taylor, a longtime American Red Cross supporter and mother of four, was in a near-fatal car accident that left her unconscious for six weeks then bedridden for an additional month. She needed more than 100 units of blood to survive.

You never know when you or someone you love will need blood. That’s why Taylor partnered with the Red Cross and Nexcare Bandages to raise awareness and inspire action for the cause through the fourth annual Give campaign. The nationwide initiative begins today, World Blood Donor Day, and extends through the end of the month.

“I am proud and honored to be involved in the Nexcare Give program, and I hope that by sharing my personal story about how Red Cross blood donors saved my life, I can inspire people around the country to get involved,” Taylor said. “I encourage everyone to roll up a sleeve on World Blood Donor Day this year and give.”

New for 2012, the Red Cross will thank blood and platelet donors at blood drives and donation centers with a collection of limited-edition fashion bandages, while supplies last. The bandages were inspired by iconic trends from decades past and are adorned with the word “give” to demonstrate that “Giving Blood is Timeless.”

The Give bandages are a fun way to help spread the word about the need for blood this summer, a time when the blood supply often drops both in Texas and nationally. Eligible blood donors are encouraged to help reverse the trend. Right now, every blood type, especially O negative, O positive, A negative and B negative, are needed.

“We’re honored to team up with Nexcare Bandages and Niki Taylor to highlight this very special cause,” said Steve Nagle, CEO of Southwest Blood Services Region of the Red Cross. “We appreciate their dedication of our lifesaving mission and look forward to a successful partnership for years to come.”

In 2012 alone, nearly 6 million across the U.S. may require a blood transfusion. With no substitute for human blood, those in need rely on the kindness of donors. Through their actions, donors prove one person can make a difference in the lives of many, as one donation can help save up to three lives.

To pledge to support blood donation, request free Nexcare Give bandages and enter for a chance to win a trip for two to New York City, visit http://www.nexcaregive.com/ or text “give” to 34426. Standard data rates may apply.

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