FULTON, Mo. (July 15, 2019) — The American Red Cross is once again partnering up with the Super Sam Foundation to host a blood drive in Sam Santhuff’s honor to help save lives and promote awareness to childhood cancer. The community is invited to roll up a sleeve and donate July 24 from noon to 6 p.m. at First Christian Church Fulton, 6 East 7th St., in Fulton. All who attempt to donate will receive a Super Sam T-shirt, or Red Cross St. Louis Cardinals ‘Time To Fly’ T-shirt while supplies last.
Sam Santhuff was five years old when he was diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. His treatment included numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and radiation treatments. In addition, Sam had to live apart from his family for a month to receive specialized radiation, and later spent time apart for 100 days in isolation for a bone marrow transplant. Ultimately, the extraordinary care Sam received was not enough to defeat the disease as he passed away on September 19, 2014.
Sam’s inspiring legacy is that of faith, bravery, and compassion for others, specifically “All the Kids” fighting childhood cancer. As Sam’s family shared their experience throughout Sam’s treatment, thousands of people were touched by the little boy known as “Super Sam”. In 2015, his parents, Matt and Cassie, founded the Super Sam Foundation, a non-profit organization, to keep Sam’s memory alive while promoting awareness, advocacy, research and support for the fight against childhood cancer.
“Sam wanted nothing more than to help “All the Kids,” so this drive is for him and to honor his legacy in the most perfect way,” said Cassie. “We prayed before every transfusion, thanking the selfless donors who gave, so that he could live. Blood donations gave Sam’s twin sister her playmate and best friend back, with a new-found energy. We hope that our community will come out, once again, and donate for “All the Kids” we remember such as Gabriel, Addison, Kyleigh, Ashely, Zac, Wyatt, Parker, Nat, Ethan and so many more. Please be that selfless gift for the next child.”
This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces an emergency need for blood donors to give now to help avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients this summer. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations are immediately needed to help replenish the blood supply.
How to donate blood
To makes an appointment for this drive, simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code SUPERSAM or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.