The Ritchie's Story
"The doctors told us ... all they did was keep him alive until it was time for his miracle."
Blood is medicine for kids with cancer. When Grant was diagnosed with leukemia at 20 months old, he relied on blood products to stay in the fight.
He received more than a dozen units of red cells and platelets in his first week at the hospital as doctors raced to stabilize him. When Grant grew sicker and spent 33 days on a ventilator, transfusions continued to keep him alive.
At one point, Barb asked how much of the blood in his body was still his. His nurse explained that almost all of it had come from donors, and Barb’s husband replied, “But it is all his now.”
Years later, his mom Barb continues to pay it forward as a blood drive partner and donor.
WICS The Joy of Sharing
On Monday, the Joy of Sharing Blood Drive officially kicked off with our partners at WICS NewsChannel 20.
The drive continues through Sunday, November 30, giving donors across central Illinois a chance to roll up their sleeves and support patients during the holiday season.
Our mobile bus pulled up Monday morning outside their Springfield studio, helping to spread the word about the need for blood, especially O-.
We're grateful for partners like WICS!
Carle Bromenn Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois
Carle Bromenn Medical Center is truly a Partner for Life.
Last Thursday, they opened their doors for a community blood drive, and their team showed just how much they believe in supporting patients both inside and outside the hospital walls.
Staff, patients, and community members came together throughout the day to give back to the place that cares for so many families in Bloomington and beyond.
The drive highlights how hospitals and blood centers work together to save lives, each relying on the other to ensure lifesaving medicine is available when it is needed most.
Quad City Botanical Center is a Partner for Life
The holidays shine brighter when you have great partners!
On Sunday, we teamed up with the Quad City Botanical Center and Visit Quad-Cities for a fun holiday blood drive that brought donors together at the perfect time.
As we head into the holidays, donations often begin to dip, but the need for blood never slows. Hospitals stay open, emergencies keep happening, and patients who need transfusions cannot wait.
Many donors told us they were excited to receive gift cards and free tickets to the Botanical Center’s Christmas light show, while others came simply because giving blood is part of who they are.