Published by Kirby Winn on Monday, September 9, 2024 in News Releases
During September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, ImpactLife is raising awareness of the impact of cancer on children and the critical role blood donors can play in supporting their treatment. Red blood cells and platelets are frequently given to cancer patients to help combat symptoms of cancer and side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Six-year-old Declan Treece was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 2 (in 2020). His mom, Rachel, attests to the difference it made for Declan to receive red blood cell and platelet transfusions during his treatment.
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Dr. Daniela Hermelin, Chief Medical Officer for ImpactLife, describes how a transfusion of red blood cells can help improve a patient's energy level.download video clips here
Dr. Hermelin explains how blood from volunteer donors, can help pediatric cancer patients replenish their blood supply and maintain strength for further treatment and recovery.
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Declan "rang the bell" to signify the end of active treatment for his leukemia two years ago, and is now more than two years in remission. Since ending his treatment, Declan has completed kindergarten, caught his first fish, started horseback riding, and played in his first T-ball and soccer games. Those milestones were made possible through his treatment and the volunteer donors who provided the red blood cells and platelets he received along the way.
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Declan's family helps support our region's blood supply through a series of "Declan Dumped Cancer" blood drives held in his hometown of Raymond, Illinois. Interviewed during the most recent blood drive, Rachel Treece recalled his initial diagnosis.
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“Blood Is Medicine: Fight Childhood Cancer”
ImpactLife has created a communications toolkit for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to help support outreach efforts and educate potential donors on the difference they can make for patients like Ruby.
The ”Blood Is Medicine” campaign, available at bloodcenter.org/childhoodcancer, includes an educational toolkit with infographics and statistics, motion graphics, social media cover photos, and video features. The web page also includes scheduling information and a calendar of upcoming childhood cancer-related blood drives.
To schedule an appointment for donation, call (800) 747-5401, text 999-777, or schedule online at bloodcenter.org, or via the Blood Center's mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
ImpactLife Donor Rewards: September 9-30
Through the end of September, all presenting donors will receive a voucher to redeem for an electronic gift card, bonus points to use in the Donor Rewards Store, or an equivalent value donation to Make-A-Wish chapters in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin (see www.bloodcenter.org/goodgiving). The value of each depends on the donor's planned donation procedure and location.
- WHOLE BLOOD (MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES) - $20 gift card OR donation OR 1,000 points
- NEW: WHOLE BLOOD (DONOR CENTERS) - $30 gift card or donation OR 2,000 points
- DOUBLE REDS & PLASMA ONLY (MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES) - $25 gift card OR donation OR 1,500 points
- NEW: DOUBLE REDS (DONOR CENTERS) - $35 gift card or donation OR 2,500 points
- NEW: 3+ TIME PLATELETS (ALL LOCATIONS) - $35 gift card OR donation or 2,500 points
- NEW: 1st & 2nd TIME PLATELETS (ALL LOCATIONS) - $60 gift card OR donation OR 5,000 points
To learn more about ImpactLife donor promotions, see www.bloodcenter.org/now.
About ImpactLife
ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States by collection volume. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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