Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Sage Edwards and Caleb Moraine are typical teenagers. Caleb, 18, likes playing the drums and playing video games. Sage, 16, loves roller derby, journalism and being involved in school activities. Unlike other young people, they are both fighting cancer and are recipients of many blood transfusions.
An American Red Cross blood drive honoring Sage and Caleb will be held Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Joe’s Bandstand, 222 Washington N.
In January, Sage was diagnosed with acute large cell lymphoma and hemophayocytic lymphohistocytosiss, a life-threatening immunodeficiency triggered by the ALCL.
“Sage had a difficult journey battling back from cancer and HLH,” said Steve Edwards, her father. “We urge all community members, those who feel powerless against cancer, especially childhood cancers, to join us and give blood. Help cancer patients like Sage and Caleb have the blood available when they need it.”
Two years ago, Caleb was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He faced a year of chemotherapy and radiation, along with a hip replacement surgery. With the help of doctors, nurses and blood donors, the cancer went into remission.
Earlier this year, cancer returned, and so did Caleb's fight.
“Cancer has robbed Caleb of a lot of his teenage years. He missed most of high school and self-taught his way to graduate with his class. No proms. No school activities. No hanging out with his friends,” said his mother, Renee Moraine. “But Caleb, like Sage, is a fighter and a brave warrior. We’re excited our community will be joining us to honor our children and help others in need of blood.”
To make an appointment for the drive in honor of Sage and Caleb, simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season. Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months.
Every day, the Red Cross must meet the blood needs of accident victims, premature babies or people undergoing surgery or cancer treatment. Donate at the drive honoring Sage and Caleb and make a difference to a patient in need of a transfusion.
How to donate blood
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.
###