LAS VEGAS – February 19, 2020 – The Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry event on Valentine’s Day was a huge success, impacting the lives of 177 people who will benefit from the life-saving blood donations and many more who may find a bone marrow match.
A total of 59 units was collected by the Vitalant team, which translated into a 211 percent increase above the event’s goal.
“This is a win for our entire community,” said Katherine Salkanovic, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Patient Experience Manager. “A blood shortage can affect any of us – including our patients – so increasing the blood supply will benefit all of us.”
Just as impressive, approximately 100 people joined the bone marrow registry at the event.
Be The Match volunteers helped attendees become part of the registry through a simple mouth swab. Should those registrants become a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant, they will be contacted by Be The Match.
Having an adequate blood supply and a diverse bone marrow registry benefits everyone, and also has a direct impact on the health of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation patients. Recently, a patient had to be hospitalized for several days while awaiting the specific blood type they needed, which was not available locally. Another Cure 4 The Kids Foundation patient will need a bone marrow transplant in the future and is seeking a matching donor.
Those who would like to donate blood can do so by contacting Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) at bloodhero.com or 877-827-4376.
Additionally, Be The Match can send a mouth swab kit to anyone who would like to join the registry — details can be found at bethematch.org.
