Submitted

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Wren Jansen was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, at age 3. In the two years since her diagnosis, Wren has received 16 blood and platelet transfusions, which she calls “unicorn juice,” thanks to a crafty nurse who used the term to calm her fears during treatment. These “magic” gifts from generous donors have helped restore Wren’s strength and spirit so she can be a normal 5-year-old and fight back against cancer.

In December, Wren and her family hope to mark a special milestone – the end of treatment and the battle with cancer won.

Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage. As a thank-you, those who come to give blood Aug. 31-Sept. 4 will receive a Red Cross aluminum water bottle, while supplies last. Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-15

 Decatur County

 Oberlin

9/5/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Health Systems, 810 W Columbia St

_______________

Ellis County

Hays Blood Donation Center

208 E. 8th

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 Hays

9/7/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Brookdale Community Center, 1801 E. 27th

9/10/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Hays, 305 W 7th St.

9/11/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Hays Good Samaritan Center, 2700 Canal Blvd.

_______________

Gove County

 Grainfield

9/11/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wheatland High School, 2920 K-23

 Quinter

9/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Church of the Brethren, 700 Grant

_______________

 Graham County 

 Hill City

9/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Catholic Parish Center, 110 N. 10th Ave

_______________

 Norton County

 Norton

9/6/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Norton County 4-H Building, 126 East Park Street

_______________

 Osborne County

 Osborne

9/12/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Veteran’s Building, 123 W Main St.

_______________

 Phillips County

 Phillipsburg

9/4/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Huck Boyd Community Center, 860 Park Street

_______________

 Rooks County

 Plainville

9/5/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 204 N. Irving

_______________

 Sheridan County

 Selden

9/14/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Selden Community Building, 110 N. Kansas

_______________

Thomas County

 Brewster

9/12/2018: 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Brewster High School, 127 Kansas Ave

_______________

 Wallace County

 Sharon Springs

9/12/2018: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Community Building, 316 W Roman St

_______________

 How to donate blood 

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 and platelet 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

 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.