The city of Southfield and the American Red Cross will sponsor the 7th annual Southfield Community Blood and Bone Marrow Drive on Wednesday, March 25 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen at 10 ½ Mile Road.
This year’s blood drive is in honor eight-year-old Oakland County resident Desi Smith. Desi is afflicted with sickle-cell disease and experienced a stroke in March of 2008. Due to her condition, she must undergo intensive blood transfusion therapy every 3-4 weeks to reduce the volume of sickled cells in her bloodstream, which in turn reduces the risk of another stroke or other complications.
“Desi receives what some hospitals would refer to as a partial or exchange transfusion, where they take out some of her blood and then add more,” said Pamela Smith, Desi’s mother. “We call her visits cure dates, because once she has her transfusion she feels better for up to 2-4 weeks. The transfusions give her extra energy and as long as we continue her therapy, doctors predict that she will have a chance for a normal life and live a normal life expectancy.”
Pamela says that at each blood drive, Desi is proactive in helping the community to understand why it is important to donate blood. She typically passes out stickers that read “Desi’s Blood Drive for Heroes” and is insistent on being at drives all day to personally thank each person for their donation. While the Smith family has received a constant stream of support and well wishes, Pamela says that it is their wish for all to help replenish the community blood supply through blood and bone marrow donations.
“People like my daughter, kids who have cancer or who have endured traumatic accidents, would have no chance to continue their lives without blood donations,” said Pamela. “With the transfusion therapy, Desi has a chance for a normal life and her future is bright. Blood is not something that doctors can create; it is something only another human can give. Making a donation of blood is like recycling life in that you’re giving somebody a second chance to live.”
To donate blood, donors must be at least 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. There is no upper age limit. There is a need for the following blood types: O-negative, O-positive, A-negative, A-positive and B-positive. Light refreshments will be available. Appointments are encouraged and may be made online at www.givelife.org, enter the sponsor code: Southfield; or by calling Southfield Community Relations at (248) 796-5130, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For general questions regarding blood donations or procedures, call the American Red Cross at (313) 494-2779.