LAS VEGAS – February 18, 2020 – The Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry event on Valentine’s Day was a huge success, impacting the lives of 177 people who will benefit from the life-saving blood donations and many more who may find a bone marrow match.
A total of 59 units was collected by the Vitalant team, which translated into a 211 percent increase above the event’s goal.
“This is a win for our entire community,” said Katherine Salkanovic, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Patient Experience Manager. “A blood shortage can affect any of us – including our patients – so increasing the blood supply will benefit all of us.”
Just as impressive, approximately 100 people joined the bone marrow registry at the event.
Be The Match volunteers helped attendees become part of the registry through a simple mouth swab. Should those registrants become a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant, they will be contacted by Be The Match.
Having an adequate blood supply and a diverse bone marrow registry benefits everyone, and also has a direct impact on the health of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation patients. Recently, a patient had to be hospitalized for several days while awaiting the specific blood type they needed, which was not available locally. Another Cure 4 The Kids Foundation patient will need a bone marrow transplant in the future and is seeking a matching donor.
Those who would you like to donate blood can do so by contacting Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) at bloodhero.com or 877-827-4376.
Additionally, Be The Match can send a mouth swab kit to anyone who would like to join the registry — details can be found at bethematch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: A total of 59 units of blood was donated at the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry event on Valentine’s Day. Those 59 units will impact the lives of 177 people in need of blood. Approximately, 100 people were also added to the bone marrow registry which assists those in need of a bone marrow transplant in finding a match donor. Pictured: Jamey Felsing, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation’s director of IT and facilities, donates blood during the event on February 14, 2020.
About Cure 4 The Kids Foundation
We are Nevada’s only pediatric cancer treatment center and facility for childhood catastrophic diseases. Founded in Las Vegas in 2007 as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit , Cure 4 The Kids Foundation exists to advance cures and prevention of childhood cancer through clinical excellence, research and innovation. We are proudly accredited by The Joint Commission. This stringent medical accreditation and the required unannounced inspections ensure that patients are getting the best care possible. From the beginning, the mission of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation has been to bring increased community access to these specialized treatments that are leading the way to improved patient outcomes. Our Patient Care Program provides the highest quality treatment for everyone, no matter their financial situation. No patient is turned away because of their family’s inability to pay. www.cure4thekids.org
For additional information, please contact:
Mitch Truswell
Red 7 Communications
mitch@red7.vegas
702-531-4461
