News

October 13, 2017

Marrow Donor Registry Drive and Red Cross Blood Drive at Holy Family Hospital – Haverhill on November 5

 
Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill will host a Be The Match marrow donor registry drive and an American Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, November 5, 2017, 
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the first-floor auditorium.
 
The marrow donor registry drive is being done in partnership with the Flanagan family in honor of their daughter Allison “Alli” Flanagan. Alli, now a sophomore at Whittier Regional Vo-tech, was diagnosed at age 8 with combined immune deficiency, and later confirmed to have Dock8, a genetic disorder of the immune system.
 
After years of intravenous immune globulin therapy, antibiotics and doctor visits, Alli and her family opted for a stem cell transplant. Her team at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found a match and a year ago Alli had a successful transplant.  To celebrate her one-year anniversary and continued good health, the Flanagans are holding a marrow donor registration drive for those ages 18-44, and an American Red Cross blood drive. Alli will be there.
 
Those who wish to be part of the marrow donor registry will have their cheek swabbed.
 
Typing fees for the marrow donor registry drive are paid for by insurance or Michael’s Fund, so please bring your health insurance card.
 
According to the American Red Cross, those who plan to donate blood should eat iron-rich foods in the weeks prior to donation and hydrate the day of donation. All blood donors should bring an ID and a list of current medications.
 
Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill is located at 140 Lincoln Ave. in Haverhill, MA.
 
For more information about the marrow donor drive, please email Jackie Mcloon at [email protected], call Jackie at 603-591-0854, or visit www.BeTheMatch.org.
 
For more information or to make an appointment for the Red Cross blood drive, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).