Tues. Nov 22nd
First, a qualifer…today’s item is not intended to be self-serving, but to raise awareness for blood and blood product (i.e. platelet) donations.
As you know, when Andrew was in the hospital, we required a LOT of blood products. When Andrew’s platelets would drop due to the chemo, his body’s ability to coagulate his blood was severely compromised. If we weren’t able to stop the bleeding, which was quite frequent and fairly unusual for most oncology patients, we would call for a unit of platelets to be hung. Within 10-20 minutes, the donor platelets acted as a glue and stopped the bleeding very effectively. There was one night, when Andrew lost a whole liter of blood! Andrew’s ‘case’ was quite complex and atypical for most children with cancer. Notwithstanding, there is a TREMENDOUS need for blood and blood products in the hospital.
Shortlyafter Andrew went to Heaven, I felt compelled to visit the Blood Bank of Delmarva to thank the staff and the donors for the work they do and the generous act of donation. I had been a regular blood donor and, as a result of our experience, I am now a regular platelet donor. I was quite shocked to learn that I am one of 13 people selected worldwide to be inducted into the 2011 Class of the Blood Donation Hall of Fame. I don’t think I deserve this recognition, but am humbled and appreciative.
On a lighter note, when I was a kid, I dreamt of being a Major League Baseball player and making it into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Andrew, with all due respect to the Blood Donation Hall of Fame, this wasn’t what I had in mind. 🙂 This is cool, too!
Here are a few links about Blood Donation Hall of Fame.
http://www.newarkpostonline.com/articles/2011/11/17/news/doc4ec56624a246f897880007.txt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’d like to introduce you to Kate McRae, a 7 yr old Arizona girl who is battling a brain tumor. You may be familiar with Kate from some of the national tv coverage that she has received. Please keep Kate and her family in your prayers.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remember – do your online shopping with Amazon using the link below and The B+ Foundation will receive a portion of what you spend. Please BOOKMARK this link so that you don’t have to search for it each time.
http://sandlothero.com/sh/amazon_store/sh-bepositive-20
Live Like Andrew!
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad