9-year-old in remission after dozens of blood transfusions
Blood donors save lives every day and according to United Blood Services, it takes at least 1,250 blood donors every month to save the lives of kids in Arizona.
United Blood Services will be hosting two drives this month to help those in need of blood donations. The drives will be held in San Luis at the Fernando Padilla Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Thursday, August 23rd at Kofa High School from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Blood donors save kids like nine-year-old Yuma native, Zoiey Gaines, who has received dozens of blood transfusions since she was four-years-old. Gaines was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 and has since been fighting an intense battle with cancer. She is currently in remission and received her last transfusion two years ago. Her father shared his gratitude towards those who have donated blood.
“If you have the opportunity to go donate blood, do it…I can’t say enough for those people who have gone out and donated the blood and have done their part too…if it wasn’t for them I don’t know if she [ Zoiey] would even be here today,” said Eric Gaines, Zoiey’s father.
