March 27th Blood Drive will save lives!

Do you want to make a difference in our community? Make an appointment today for March 27. It takes a village to accomplish complex tasks, but your individual effort can do great things for an individual. Kinzie Frey is a perfect example.

Kinzie Frey | Blood and Platelet Recipient

After months of vague symptoms and emergency room visits, 6-year-old Kinzie Frey was diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that can grow into tumors. Her tumor was collectively the size of a mini basketball, originating on her right adrenal gland and was tangled throughout her abdomen, wrapping around veins, arteries and organs from her heart to her pelvis. Kinzie’s doctor immediately began an aggressive treatment protocol to fight the cancer and prevent it from returning. After her second round of chemo, she had a procedure to remove some of her stem cells. The cells were preserved and given back to her during two stem cell transplants. Each transplant required a month in the hospital and strict precautions that prevented her from returning to school or going to public places. Kinzie developed a late complication from the stem cell transplant that caused her body to break down blood cells at an alarming rate and required numerous blood and platelet transfusions. Over 18 months, Kinzie received 46 red blood cell transfusions and 72 platelet transfusions. Her mother, Holly Bosse, says, “If it weren’t for the generosity of blood donors, Kinzie wouldn’t be here with us today. Those blood donations aren’t only a gift to Kinzie but to our family, friends and supporters.

Our local blood drive is gaining momentum! The Red Cross has recognized this and made more appointments available. There are plenty of appointments at the (click here) Red Cross website.

While you are here to donate, feel free to explore the firehouse and ask your local firefighters any questions you may have. We have information about our Community Risk Reduction programs: Blood pressure screenings, Smoke/CO alarm installs, Home Safety Inspections, and future ARC Blood Drives.

If you REALLY feel moved and want to help, go to the GFD website and fill out an application for the FD. 100% paid training. Cool hat. Great group of people.