HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The need for blood is constant, and a Hutchinson family is asking the community to help meet that need and commemorate their son by donating at a memorial American Red Cross blood drive on March 10. The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place at the Kroger Regional Office in Hutchinson.
Kolby Gable was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma when he was 10. He underwent numerous chemo treatments where he needed blood transfusions.
Kolby battled for over a year but, sadly, the cancer kept coming back.
He died in November 2022, at just 11 years old.
The Gable family knows blood donations are crucial for patients going through cancer treatment. They are asking the community to donate in Kolby’s memory to help others in need.
“Kolby went through so much during his treatments – so many surgeries, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, biopsies – he was so strong and never complained about any of it,” Jennifer Gable, Kolby’s mother, said. “The need for blood is great, and it’s just a small inconvenience compared to what kids dealing with cancer have to go through.”
Additionally, when volunteer blood donors lend an arm this month, they will help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring.
All who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma throughout March, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email. They will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card. There will be five lucky winners.
To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass or use the Blood Donor App.
The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 10. The Kroger Regional Office is located at 2700 E. Fourth Ave. in Hutchinson.
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