Annual Valentine Blood Drive: Help Cancer Patients

The following entry was submitted by Kate, a middle school student in Burke who is a regular volunteer at the Annual Valentine Blood Drive.

We all know at least one person who has had cancer and the hardest thing to do is find a way to help them. One great way to help is by donating blood. Cancer patients often need blood transfusions to survive surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In fact 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion every year. There is no substitute for human blood, which is why blood donation is so important. Don’t worry about the needles, its just one live saving prick.

There is a great opportunity coming up in Burke to help save lives - The 4th Annual Valentine Blood Drive, sponsored by Friends of Sadie, will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2013 from 8 am– 4 pm at the Woods Community Center, 10100 Wards Grove Circle in Burke.  You can make an appointment right now by going to www.inova.org/donateblood and using sponsor code 7637.

The Annual Valentine Blood drive started as a way to help an infant named Sadie was fighting cancer.  Over the past three years, I have watched Sadie grow up into a busy toddler who loves toy cars and trains. She always has a smile on her face and is living a normal childhood now that her cancer is in remission. This is not the case for children fighting cancer today. They are constantly in the hospital either having chemotherapy or radiation. They may not be able to attend school or see their friends. All they see are the nurses and doctors who are doing their best to save them. These children deserve to have a normal childhood involving school and friends. By donating blood you could give them another chance at a normal life.

The age you can donate blood is 16, so I am almost old enough to donate.  But not being eligible to donate blood didn’t stop me from wanting to help.  For the last three years, I have volunteered at the Annual Valentine Blood Drive, usually helping with childcare or the bake sale.  The bake sale money goes to benefit charities that help with childhood cancer research or treatment.  Each year, I have watched the community come together in support of Sadie and other cancer patients.  It is a really beautiful thing to watch and be a part of, and I know, the minute I turn 16, I want to donate blood.

Please come out on February 10th and help us break our record of blood donations
set last year. Every donation counts and can save up to 3 lives. Imagine if it
were your loved one fighting for their life. You wouldn’t want them to not have any options. Remember: “The Gift of Life is the Gift of Hope.”

For more information on the blood drive, go to www.friendsofsadie.org.

Source: America’s Blood Centers