Bolingbrook rallies for local man battling cancer and hosts 'Just Do it for Life' blood drive July 21
Carl Brown has been a giver all of his life.
As a basketball coach for 20 years, he gave his time. As a grandfather of four, he gave his attention. As a father of four, he gave his love. And as a husband of 38 years, he's given his heart.
But sometimes in life, a giver must become the receiver.
Results from a routine annual physical gave Carl a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that attacks the bone marrow where new blood cells are generated and destroys existing blood cells by crowding them out.
On Saturday, July 21, Carl's family and the Bolingbrook community will gather to host the "Just Do it for Life" LifeSource Blood Drive in his honor. The drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Living Water Community Church, 190 Lily Cache Lane in Bolingbrook.
This summer, Brown will have his final stem cell transplant, a 4-6 week treatment that will include his receiving platelets and red blood cells almost daily, as treatment requires that his bone marrow is completely eradicated prior to the donated stem cells being transplanted.
Because of generous, healthy blood donors, Carl will receive the life-sustaining blood products he needs while receiving treatment to fight this cancer.
"Your gift of life will allow Carl to continue to be a giver and we invite the entire community to join him and be a giver, too," said Carl's wife, Stacey.
Appointments are suggested but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, call (877) 543-3768, or visit www.lifesource.org and search Group Code 268G.
In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification. The donation appointment takes about an hour (with the donation itself only around ten minutes) and is both safe and comfortable. Donors must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years of age with parental consent).
Proper ID is required to donate blood. A LifeSource or military ID, driver's license or employee badge with a picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor's full name will also be accepted.