September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Donate blood to support patients in need.
This is a time to honor our community’s littlest patients battling cancer. Many of these patients will rely on donated blood throughout the course of their treatment, like Isaac. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and two stem cell transplants before reaching his remission. Isaac’s mother attributes blood donation as a huge component of Isaac’s care: “Without that person’s blood, he could not have survived. That act of kindness, as a parent, as a person, there just aren’t enough thank yous.” Wherever you decide to donate, be sure to let Bloodworks know you are donating with Rotary District 5030 or provide the code “5030” when you arrive to donate to count toward our cumulative impact!
Our District 5030 had 21 members, friends and families who donated blood in August! We receive these updates monthly. Here’s a story from one of my club members.
It was through donating blood in April that Suzie Burke, part of the Fremont Rotary Bloodwork Project, was recommended to go see her doctor after the efficient crew from Bloodworks caught an erratic pulse during the health screening. Suzie’s doctor agreed with Bloodworks and after other tests, she was sent to UW Northwest Hospital as an emergency to be fitted with a pacemaker. She is now pacemaker-assisted and ready to give blood again. Bloodworks Northwest has a healthcare win for everyone involved – give blood. Each time you give blood there’s a mini health check, including blood pressure and pulse and you can track your numbers over time by giving blood every time you’re eligible – every 56 days.
Thank you so much!
Beth Tesh, Rotary Club of Fremont (Seattle)
