From staff reports
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
Union Baptist Church, 1628 West Union Rd, in Picayune, will hold a blood drive Monday, June 25, 2012 from 2-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
The blood drive will benefit Brianna Davis, the 5-year-old daughter of Cory Davis, and granddaughter of Mickey and Shiree Bounds.
Brianna has been diagnosed with Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s T-Cell Lymphoma which is affecting her upper chest area.
Brianna, a Union Baptist Academy Kindergarten student, is being treated for her illness at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The Blood Center is the blood provider for Children’s Hospital.
In the U.S. about 1,638,910 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2012. T-Cell Lymphoma is very rare, making up only 15% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in the U.S. Lymphoma is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes.
It takes blood to help fight this type of cancer. The chances of finding a match for Brianna increase with each donation, so please contact your family and friends and ask them to donate.
In order to donated blood a person must be in good health, at least 17 years-of-age and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Sixteen year olds can donate if they weigh at least 130 pounds and have a signed “Blood Center” parental consent form at the time of donation. Individuals with high blood pressure or controlled diabetes can now also donate.
To donate blood platelets requires two hours. Donors must refrain from aspirins and anti-inflammatory medications within 72 hours of donation. An appointment is required for this special type of donation at the Donor Center.
A picture ID is required and it is suggested that a meal and plenty of fluids should be consumed before donations.
Those interested in helping Brianna, can contact Terry Shaw at 601-749-3888 or email him at ti2451@bellsouth.net.
If you are unable to donate, there are other ways to help. Contact Suzy Potter at 504-939-9609 or email her at spotter@thebloodcenter.org.
