Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Meet Dave – a Buckeye-raised son and devoted husband, all-star dad of two young spirited boys and avid runner no matter the Ohio season.
Dave is also a childhood cancer survivor. At age 11, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and embarked in a fight no tween should have to endure. Thankfully, he won that battle and, as of April this year, has been cancer-free for a quarter century.
Having gone through seven types of chemotherapy, spinal taps, surgery and more than 25 blood and platelet transfusions in less than six months, Dave can attest to the strength blood and platelet donations brought him during those trying times.
“Transfusions increased my blood counts, so I could receive chemotherapy sooner. And ultimately, kick cancer sooner. I was on a trial drug study for my specific type of cancer, which is in wide use for cancer patients now.”
Life after Dave’s cancer diagnosis has been both rewarding and inspiring.
In 2007, Dave decided to participate in Team in Training, raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and cancer research, while training for a marathon. After crossing the finish line of his first marathon, he was on a running high he didn’t want to end and set a new goal for himself: run 50 half marathons by the time he hit 50 years old.
Over the past decade, he’s run more than 40 races in various cities and is on his way to achieving his goal well before age 50.
These milestones, his survivorship, the celebration of life earned – none of that would be possible without blood and platelet donors. Those selfless heroes help patients like Dave kick cancer.
Give strength to those still battling cancer by scheduling a blood or platelet donation today.