No cape necessary: Just roll up your sleeve to help superheroes in need!

Bristol-area community encouraged to give blood in honor of two local, young cancer fighters

The family of little “superhero” Ethan McGettigan of Waterbury once again invites the community to donate potentially life-saving blood in honor of the brave five-year-old at an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Giamatti Little League Complex in Bristol. This year’s drive is also in support and honor of 18-year-old Kayla Krenicki of Bristol.

Kayla currently battles acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The Bristol Central High School graduate has received 38 blood transfusions since June 2016 and has also received a bone marrow transplant as part of her treatment. Kayla plans to study psychology at Southern Connecticut State University. “Blood is a crucial part of treatment for a lot of children with cancer,” said Kayla. “It is especially important for me, seeing how Leukemia effects the blood cells. The blood you donate gives kids like me another chance at life. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. It costs you nothing, but it is priceless to someone else. Share life. Give blood.”

Ethan was diagnosed with an anaplastic ependymoma right after his second birthday. An anaplastic ependymoma is a form of brain tumor that has required multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. Ethan has received numerous blood transfusions to help him in his battle. Donated blood helped the little superhero combat the side effects of chemo and gave him the strength to survive. Without those transfusions, his family may have had to face much more difficult decisions about his treatment and future. “Ethan would not be alive today without the generosity of blood donors,” said Ethan’s mother, Jennifer McGettigan.

Donate Blood in Honor of Ethan McGettigan and Kayla Krenicki

Sunday, June 4, 2017

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Giamatti Little League Complex Recreation Room

335 Mix Street, Bristol

To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org and sponsor code: ETHAN, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 now 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 at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.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.

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