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| One of Our Own Survives Cancer: Blood Donations
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07/23/08
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Columbia (WLTX) -- Giving one pint of blood can save up to three lives. A Columbia mother is grateful for the strangers whose donations saved her daughter.
Two-year-old Kendall Givens is a vivacious, outgoing little girl.
"She's such a happy child," her mother Karel Givens said.
Givens also calls her daughter a survivor.
Doctors discovered Kendall has leukemia in May. She now goes through weekly chemotherapy treatments. In addition, the toddler has had to have two blood transfusions and a platelet transfusion to even out the effects of chemotherapy. She'll likely go through chemotherapy for two years.
Karel and her husband are inspired by Kendall's strength.
"I'm extremely optimistic. I have to be. I have to be strong for her and my family. She's such a happy little girl and I can't be sad," Karel said.
She's also thankful for the blood donations that enabled Kendall to have the transfusions. It's made her realize the kindness of strangers, and the need for more people to give.
"I never thought I'd be in this position where I thought my family member or myself would need blood," Givens said.
American Red Cross officials say now is the time to donate. Blood supplies are generally down in the summer months. They say one in ten people who enter a hospital will need a blood transfusion. Ninety-five percent of cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy will need multiple platelet transfusions.
"[Kendall] might need it tomorrow again. It's a scary situation," Karel said.
Donating blood is free and takes about an hour. To give one pint of blood, donors must be seventeen years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health.
In South Carolina, types O+, O-, and B- are most needed.
WLTX is teaming up with the Red Cross this Friday for a blood drive. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the center at 2751 Bull Street.
For more images and video of Karel and her daughter Kendall click here.
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