ABOUT 450
PEOPLE GENEROUSLY DONATED BLOOD AND 87 CARING
FOLKS JOINED THE
NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM REGISTRY AT THE 5TH
ANNUAL HELPING PARKER’S PALS BLOOD DRIVE &
MARROW REGISTRY EVENT AT THE SAVE MART CENTER AT
FRESNO STATE
FRESNO, CA
–
The Central California Blood Center wishes to
thank the community and generous sponsors for
their support at the 5th Annual
Helping Parker's Pals Blood Drive and Marrow
Registry. About 450 very giving donors dropped
by the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, and at
CCBC Donor Centers around the Central Valley,
and donated blood, while 87 people were placed
on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.
The year’s theme was “Racing to Good Health” and
the event was to call attention to, and help,
the hundreds of patients in local hospitals, of
all ages, who need blood transfusions and/or
eventual marrow transplants: their only hope for
healthy futures.
In July 2002, doctors diagnosed Parker Fritsch,
the son of Richard and Melissa Fritsch, with
Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia. Parker, who is now nine years old,
needed many blood transfusions and in 2005
underwent a life-saving marrow transplant. “Parker
was not alone in his battle,” said Dean Eller,
President and CEO of the Central California
Blood Center. “There are so many children with
blood-related diseases, as well as adults, who
are waiting for a marrow match to save their
lives. We strongly encourage all eligible,
potential donors to give blood and register to
be a marrow donor to help keep these wonderful
folks alive.”
The Blood Center wishes to sincerely thank
Connie Reelhorn of Belmont Nursery who pledged
funds to waive registry fees for donors.
As a “thank you,”
all who came out to donate blood or sign up for
the registry received a coupon for a Christmas
tree from Little D’s Christmas Trees courtesy of
Wayne and Karen Martin, The Pumpkin King. Plus
all donors received a commemorative T-shirt
featuring Parker’s artwork, as well as special
rewards from Valley businesses for dining,
recreation, entertainment and services. Valley
restaurants who teamed up to furnish special
snacks for donors are
Champion Raisins, Great Harvest Bread Company,
Pick Up Stix, Port of Subs, Tahoe Joe’s, Uncle
Harry’s New York Bagelry & Coffeehouse, The Cup
Cake Shop and BC’s Pizza & Beer.
Blood
Donors: Donors must be at least 17 years
old, weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. and be in good
general health. Be sure to drink plenty of water
and eat a good meal prior to donation.
Photo ID and
Social Security Number are required at donor
registration.
Seniors are encouraged to donate, as there is no upper age limit for
blood donation.
Marrow
Donors: Donors must be 18-60 years old
and in good general health. There are no minimum
weight requirements, but weight maximum
guidelines do exist. Marrow donors will be
considered for ALL patients searching the
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry.
The Central
California Blood Center is the sole provider of
blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in
Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa
counties and must collect at least 5,000 to
6,000 pints of blood each month to meet the
needs of patients in Valley hospitals.
