Published on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Blog
Blood donation drives like the one held March 13, 2025, at Alan Shepard Elementary School, in Long Grove, Iowa show how communities can rally together during difficult times. The Smile Like Zoey Blood Drive brought family, friends, and community members together to honor the memory of 12-year-old Zoey Carney while helping others who face similar medical challenges.
Zoey Carney was just 12 years old when leukemia took her life last November, only six weeks after her diagnosis. During her treatment, Zoey received many blood and platelet transfusions that gave her precious time with her family. Now, her parents Ryan and Amanda are turning their grief into purpose by helping other families fighting similar battles.
"We created 'SmileLikeZoey' to carry on her legacy and keep alive the memories of her captivating personality, radiant spirit, and that unforgettable smile," shared Amanda Moeller Carney, Zoey's mom. "Blood donations are so important for cancer patients, and we wanted to thank everyone who helps others like Zoey fight these childhood cancers."
Before she got sick, Zoey was full of life and sunshine. Born in October 2012, she was an outstanding athlete who played soccer with the Iowa Olympic Development Program and several local clubs. She also loved basketball, volleyball, and softball. When she wasn't playing sports, Zoey enjoyed showing dairy cows at the Fair through 4H and spending time with her pet ducks, chickens, and dogs Petey and Bailey.
Her teachers remember her as a natural leader who could make friends with anyone. Even on her worst days, Zoey's smile would light up a room and inspire others to be their best selves.
The blood drive held on March 13 exceeded all expectations. The original goal was 29 donations, but more than 50 donors scheduled appointments. Many were Zoey's teachers and family friends, all coming together to honor her memory and help other patients who need blood products just like Zoey did.
Ryan and Amanda also gave blood themselves, understanding firsthand how these donations can provide hope to families in their darkest moments.
The Impact of Blood Donation on Cancer Treatment
For cancer patients like Zoey, blood donations aren't just helpful—they're essential. When someone undergoes chemotherapy treatment, their body's ability to produce blood cells often becomes compromised. Red blood cell transfusions help combat the fatigue and weakness that come with low hemoglobin levels, while platelet transfusions prevent dangerous bleeding when platelet counts drop too low.
During Zoey's six-week battle with leukemia, these transfusions provided critical support that allowed her doctors to continue treatment. Each bag of donated blood represented someone in the community—perhaps a stranger—who took an hour out of their day to help patients like Zoey. This connection between donors and recipients creates an invisible but powerful bond throughout the community, linking those who give with those who receive in a circle of care and support.
A Legacy Built on Smiles and Kindness
The "Smile Like Zoey" initiative goes beyond blood drives. It represents everything that made Zoey special—her positivity in the face of challenges, her ability to light up a room, and her kindness toward others. Teachers at Alan Shepard Elementary School have started incorporating Zoey's spirit into their daily classroom routines, encouraging students to "share a smile" with someone who might need it.
This legacy of kindness fits perfectly with blood donation drives. Both involve giving something of yourself to help others, often people you'll never meet. Both create ripples of positivity that extend far beyond the initial act. And both embody the values that Zoey lived by during her too-short life—generosity, compassion, and an unbreakable spirit that finds joy even in difficult circumstances.
Every time someone donates blood in Zoey's memory, they're not just providing life-saving medical support. They're also carrying forward her legacy of bringing light into dark places and helping others feel less alone.
Every donation counts in the ongoing fight against diseases like leukemia. The Smile Like Zoey Blood Drive demonstrates how one community's response to tragedy can create hope for others going through similar struggles. Through their generous gift of blood, donors provide cancer patients with additional time—time for treatment, time with family, and time for healing.
The spirit of Zoey Carney continues to inspire action and compassion. Her smile, remembered so fondly by everyone who knew her, now motivates others to extend kindness in practical ways. By giving blood, community members honor Zoey's memory while directly helping patients who face the same challenges she did. Register today to donate blood and join the thousands of everyday heroes who save lives with this simple yet profound gift. One hour of your time can give someone else days, weeks, or even years of life. Creating a legacy of care that extends well beyond a single donation. Interested in donating in Zoey's honor? You can use sponsor code 6105 for your donation.
REGISTER TO DONATE TODAY