Blood Drive, Bone Marrow Registry Drive Nov. 8 in Lake Barrington to Celebrate Teen's First 100 Days Since Transplant
Friends and family of 18-year-old Barrington resident Carter Bailey will hold a blood drive and bone marrow registry drive from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at CrossFit Barrington, 28066 W. Commercial Ave., #8, Lake Barrington. The group is celebrating the teen's 100th day of recovery following his bone marrow transplant from an anonymous donor.
The event is co-hosted by Chicagoland blood supplier LifeSource, and national bone marrow registrar, Be The Match.
Last April, the Barrington High School student was diagnosed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He immediately underwent multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.
While the chemotherapy destroyed his leukemia cells, it left him with low red blood cell and platelet counts. The teen received multiple transfusions of red blood cells and platelets because he couldn't produce enough of each.
Be The Match was able to locate an anonymous bone marrow donor match. Doctors informed the family that without a marrow transplant, Bailey's leukemia could return. The bone marrow transplant was performed at Lurie Children's Hospital on July 30. Over the course of four months of treatment, he would receive a total of 36 units of red blood cells and 42 units of platelets.
"When we pass the one-year mark next summer, we're hoping to meet this incredibly generous person and personally thank them" says Jim Bailey, Carter's father.
As a way of thanking both organizations, the family hopes to raise awareness by coordinating a dual blood drive and bone marrow registry event. They are asking friends and strangers alike to donate blood next Saturday to LifeSource, as well as to join the Marrow Donor Registry by registering a cheek swab with Be The Match.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent). Bone Marrow Registrants are limited to ages 18-44, and must be in good health.
"As we celebrate Carter's 100th day post-transplant, we hope you'll consider helping us to replenish LifeSource blood supplies by donating blood, or joining the bone marrow registry," says his mother, Celeste Bailey. "You never know the life you will save with your generous and selfless donation."
Appointments for the blood drive are preferred, but all walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visiting www.lifesource.org and using the code 662B. For more information, contact LifeSource account manager Ellen Plotkin at (847) 226-6636.
Along with hosting daily blood drives, LifeSource operates 19 community donor centers and 4 fixed sites with regular operating days and hours. In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification.