Blood drive honors N. Aurora leukemia patients

Submitted by North Aurora Mothers Club

The North Aurora Mothers Club is hosting its fourth annual blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at First State Bank, 75 S. Randall Road, Suite 100, North Aurora. They are still looking for donors, you can schedule an appointment on lifesource.org or call (877) 543-3768, walk-ins are also welcome.

A blood donation appointment takes about an hour and is safe and comfortable. The actual donation takes about 10 minutes. If you have not donated before, please consider helping to replenish our community’s blood supply.

This year’s event will be held in honor of Hannah Brazendale and Carinne Forpanek. Both have fought leukemia and are currently in remission. Hannah was diagnosed at the age of 2, completed her treatment in January 2010. Carinne was recently diagnosed at the age of 4 and will be undergoing treatment for the next two years. Both of their moms are members of the North Aurora Mothers Club.

Both were diagnosed with the same form of leukemia, by the same group of doctors at Children’s Memorial Hospital at Central DuPage Hospital.

During treatment, blood transfusions, plasma and platelets are often needed to bring cancer patients levels to a normal range. Both Hannah and Carinne have personally benefitted from blood donations.

Bring an ID with you on the day of your blood donation. Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver’s license, or employee badge with picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. Birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor’s full name will also be accepted.

To prepare for your donation, eat well, stay hydrated and bring an ID.

For information, visit northauroramothersclub.org.