Allendale Elementary Honors Student with Blood Drive

The Allendale Elementary School PTO is hosting a blood drive in honor of a very special second grader.

Last July, Rebecca Gardner was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Everything seemed fine until she began to feel back pain during her swim practice.

“You never ever think that it will happen to you, until it does,” said Rebecca’s mother Jackie Gardner.

Rebecca is currently undergoing chemotherapy. During her treatment, she has needed around 15 blood transfusions and five units of platelets. Rebecca’s family have a new perspective on the importance of donating blood and are excited that this blood drive is in their daughter’s honor.

“I never thought about blood donations until Rebecca needed them. We want this blood drive in her honor to raise awareness about the importance of giving,” said Jackie Gardner.

The blood drive will be Thursday, April 3rd from 3p-8p in the Allendale Elementary cafeteria. Donors of all types are welcome. All donors will receive a Red Cross giveway item for participating in this special drive. To schedule an appointment for this blood drive, visit www.redcross.org and enter the sponsor code ADES19 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). Allendale is located at 2100 Prescott Way in Spring Hill.

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