Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Thompson’s Station community encouraged to give blood
THOMPSON’S STATION, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2016) — The American Red Cross and Independence High School invite the community to join family and friends of 15-year-old Independence High student Lily Hensiek in helping to save lives by donating blood in her honor on Friday, Nov. 4, from 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Independence High School, 1776 Declaration Way in Thompson’s Station.
When Lily was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at the age of seven, her family learned firsthand how important blood donations could be. While going through two and a half years of chemotherapy, she received numerous blood transfusions. She also set a goal to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research, with hopes no child would have to fight cancer.
After five years in remission, Lily relapsed in September 2016. Today, she continues to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer, while encouraging eligible donors to give blood.
“Lily receives blood regularly as part of treatment, as do many of her cancer friends,” said Larisa Featherstone, Lily’s mother. “Most recently, she has undergone several blood transfusions during treatment and in some cases, she’s had two [transfusions] in one week.”
Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions.
The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood donations every day to help patients like Lily, and donors of all blood types are needed
How to donate blood
Visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Indy19 to make an appointment, or simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for more information.
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.
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, prior to arriving for their donation. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About Lily’s Garden
For more information about Lily’s mission to weed out childhood cancer, visit: Lilysgarden.org.
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.