PREBLE COUNTY — Unwrap your holiday spirit and give the gift of life at the Eaton Community Church community blood drive in honor of childhood leukemia survivor Gage Brown on Thursday, Dec. 9, from noon to 6 p.m. at 813 Camden Road, Eaton.
Everyone who registers to donate will get the “Be a Hometown Hero This Holiday” fleece blanket with CBC blood drop logo. Appointments are encouraged. Schedule online at www.DonorTime.com or call 937-461-3220.
Gage is the five-year-old son of Brandy and Michael Brown from Eaton. He was nearly two years old when diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in July of 2018. Brandy Brown sponsored CBC blood drives for Gage in December 2018 and in April 2020.
“This is the third blood drive in Gage’s honor I’ve done,” said Brandy. “I started doing it when he was diagnosed with leukemia. After seeing how many blood transfusions he needed and how much blood donors have helped him get through treatment, it just feels right to continue hosting blood drives and bringing awareness.
“This is the first blood drive I’ve done in Eaton and I’m hoping for a great turn out,” she noted. “Gage will be there for a while at the beginning of the drive to greet donors. My goal is to bring more attention to childhood cancer and the importance of donating blood.
“Gage is doing very well. He is enjoying preschool and has his last chemo appointment will Dec. 2. He can’t wait to be done,” she added.
NC Rescue blood drive
North Central Rescue community blood drive Monday, Dec. 6, from 4-7 p.m. at the Eldorado Fire Department, 140 E Mill St., Eldorado.
NT High School blood drive
The National Trail High School community blood drive is set for Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6940 Oxford-Gettysburg Road, New Paris. The blood drive is open to all eligible students, staff, parents and community members. Appointments are encouraged. Schedule online at www.DonorTime.com or call 937-461-3220.
The holiday season is an important time to donate. Many businesses and organizations are not hosting blood drives due to continued COVID-19 related restrictions and people are often distracted from donating during this busy time of holiday activities and travel.
The season of giving is a good time to give back. CBC asks community members to consider becoming a blood donor, donating more often, becoming a platelet or plasma donor, or sponsoring a blood drive. Call 937-461-3220 to learn how you can help.
Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch & blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions are invited to email [email protected] or call 1(800)388-GIVE. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com.
Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services® is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Community Blood Center provides blood products to 23 hospitals and health centers within a 15-county service area in the Miami (Ohio) and Whitewater (Indiana) Valleys. For more information about Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services®, visit www.givingblood.org.
