September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and 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.

The National Cancer Institute estimated that more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. would be diagnosed with cancer last year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Cancer and cancer treatments can put patients at risk for low red blood cell and platelet counts. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, lowering the production of red blood cells and platelets. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma attack the bone marrow as well. Blood and platelet transfusions can enable patients to receive critical treatments needed to fight and survive cancer.

Platelet donors and blood donors of all blood types are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a summer blood shortage. As a thank-you, those who come to give Aug. 30-Sept. 3 will receive a unique Red Cross canvas tote bag, while supplies last.

Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Blood drives are also essential in helping ensure blood is available for patients this winter. To learn more and sign up to host a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Who blood donations help

In October 2018, what began as a normal toddler’s ear infection changed the Corbeau family’s life forever. Beth and Matt Corbeau’s 2-year-old son, Jackson, was running a high fever. He was taken to urgent care and diagnosed with a simple ear infection and prescribed antibiotics. After a few days, Jackson’s fever failed to subside, and he became increasingly more lethargic. His parents decided it was time to have him seen again.

After a quick visit to Jackson’s primary care physician, they were advised that he was anemic and were instructed to take him to the local emergency room. Five grueling hours after arriving at the ER, the Corbeau’s were introduced to a pediatric oncologist. Beth recalls that moment, “As soon as she introduced herself as a pediatric oncologist, I felt the room get extremely small. I don’t remember anything that was said that afternoon after she said the word ‘leukemia.’”

In the first few days after diagnosis, Jackson received red blood cell and platelet transfusions to prepare him to have a port placed in his chest to receive chemotherapy treatments. He has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and has received approximately seven units of blood and four units of platelets during his treatment so far.

“Our family is so grateful to blood and platelet donors who so generously make time to share their good health with patients like Jackson,” says Beth Corbeau. “It’s easy to forget about the importance of blood donations if you don’t know someone in need, but it’s something I will never take for granted again.”

Donors are urged to make an appointment to donate using the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/sport-clips, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. The Red Cross and Sport Clips encourage donors to use the hashtag #SavingLivesLooksGood to share their new looks and invite others to give.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 30-Sept. 15:

Hardin County

Ada

9/5/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ohio Northern University, 525 S Main St, McIntosh Ctr

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Putnam County

Columbus Grove

9/12/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Anthony of Padua Parish, 512 W. Sycamore St

Fort Jennings

9/11/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fort Jennings American Legion, 100 American Legion Drive

Pandora

9/9/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pandora Gilboa High School, 410 Rocket Ridge

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Allen County

Bluffton

9/12/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bluffton High School, 106 W. College Ave

Delphos

9/5/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Eagles Delphos, 1600 East 5th Street

Lima

9/3/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House Lima, 610 S. Collett Street

9/6/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House Lima, 610 S. Collett Street

9/10/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House Lima, 610 S. Collett Street

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Auglaize County

Saint Marys

9/10/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Union Hall Local 200, 227 E. South Street

Wapakoneta

8/31/2019: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Anytime Fitness, 205 Defiance Street

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Defiance County

Defiance

8/30/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Goin’ Postal, 925 South Clinton Street

9/10/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Promedica Defiance Regional Hospital, 1200 Ralston Ave

9/11/2019: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., VFW 3360, 201 North Clinton Street

9/13/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Eagle Post 372, 711 West 2nd Street

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Mercer County

Burkettsville

9/14/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Shelter House, 100 W. Main Street

Celina

9/3/2019: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Grand Lake United Methodist Church, 119 E. Fulton Street

9/10/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wright State University Lake Campus, 7600 State Route 703

Maria Stein

9/9/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of St. John, 8608 State Route 119

Saint Henry

9/4/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion, 341 W. Main Street

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Williams County

Montpelier

9/6/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Montpelier Hospital, 909 E Snyder Avenue

9/15/2019: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 114 West Washington

Stryker

9/13/2019: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., First Lutheran Church – Stryker, 701 South Defiance Street

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.