Ethan Campbell: 13-Year-Old With a Heart of Gold

Written by Kimberly Hill, American Red Cross staff contributor

Ethan Campbell is only 13 years old, but he has experienced a lot — both good and bad — in such a short amount of time. And now he’s the perfect example of perseverance.

“When he was young, he had a lot of trouble concentrating in school, and social situations were often difficult for him,” said Erlynne Campbell, his mother.

Ethan was diagnosed with severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at an early age then Asperger Syndrome a few years later.

"ADHD and Asperger Syndrome have definitely affected Ethan’s ability to function in school and social situations, but they also give him the ability to think completely outside the box and see the world through an entirely different lens,” Erlynne said. “Ethan is a remarkable young man. He has always been extremely curious about the world around him and fascinated with the way things work.”

Erlynne said Ethan is an “excellent” student. He just finished the eighth grade, where he took advanced courses and earned mostly As. He already has three high school credits, and he’s taking two additional high school classes this summer just to be ahead.

“He has big plans to become a robotics engineer when he grows up,” Erlynne said.

But for the time being, he is more focused on his Eagle Scout project. This Saturday, June 30, Ethan will host an American Red Cross blood drive for the Allen community.

“He chose to do this blood drive with the Red Cross because he wanted to perform a completely charitable act that would make a profound difference in a lot of people’s lives,” his mother said. “Ethan is a very kind and compassionate young man. As his parents, we feel we are blessed to have him as our son — he has definitely made a profound impact on us.”

Kelly Carlin, the Red Cross donor recruitment representative for the drive, said she has become close to the Campbell family through Ethan’s project.

“He is a very special young man,” she said. “He is so incredibly intelligent that the level he is on is way beyond the average person. I have just fallen in love with this family (which also includes Chris, his father, and Tristan, his younger brother) and will probably be in their life forever.”

But as Ethan has worked on his project, he has run into quite a few challenges. For one, the drive is scheduled for the middle of the summer, when many of his friends and fellow church members will be out of town and unable to donate.

“He is working so hard to get sign-ups and is realizing the struggle the Red Cross runs into every day, and that is to convince people to donate,” Carlin said.

While Ethan’s social disorder makes it difficult for him to express himself to others, he has spent time scripting what he is going to say before he says it, Erlynne explained.

“His confidence has grown in leaps and bounds as he has approached groups, store owners and complete strangers to ask them to help spread the word and to donate blood,” she said. “He has been so encouraged by the positive feedback people have given him, and it’s a joy to see the strength and leadership he has developed through this experience.”

Saturday’s blood drive with the Red Cross will be the final step in Ethan’s journey toward Eagle Scout. He hopes to be awarded with the rank advancement before he turns 14, his mother said.

The drive will be at the east Allen chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1404 E. Main St., in Cultural Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments to donate at Ethan’s drive are not required but can be made at www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Blood Donors Needed: Red Cross Issues Emergency Ask For Donors



Written by Kimberly Hill, staff contributor

 

The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donors of every type. There is almost half the amount of readily available Red Cross blood now than there was at this point in time last year. Eligible donors with types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative are encouraged to donate double red cells.

Right now, donations are not keeping pace with the demand for blood products. Many regular donors are busy or traveling and unavailable to give. With schools on vacation and the Fourth of July drawing near, it’s important to remember that patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood. The need is constant.

Many say they don’t give blood because they were never asked. Consider yourself asked! Please donate to help patients in need during this summer blood shortage. For more information or to find a nearby donation opportunity, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Gibson Foundation Partners with Red Cross for Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve

written by Kimberly Hill, staff contributor



American Red Cross blood donors rock! The annual campaign, Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve, is underway and continues through July 31. This year, the Red Cross is teaming up with the Gibson Foundation in an effort to encourage people to give blood or platelets over the summer. The partnership is one example of the foundation’s efforts to promote health and welfare initiatives.

“We’re delighted to partner with the Red Cross, as they are obviously aligned with our core beliefs and values,” said Dave Berryman, vice president of the Gibson Foundation and president of Gibson Guitar Corp. “Supporting this wonderful program is very exciting to us. Working directly with the Red Cross, we hope to bring in as many donors possible who are ready to ‘rock and roll up their sleeve.’”



During the campaign, presenting donors will receive a chance to win a Gibson guitar, co-branded guitar pick (fixed sites only), and a rock-‘n’-roll-themed T-shirt. As a special incentive for young donors, anyone from 16-21 years old can enter to win a $5,000 scholarship as well.

Such generous giveaways from the Gibson Foundation give people extra incentive to donate during the summer, a time when the blood supply often drops to low levels.

“We are all only a beat away from being able to help save lives by donating blood or platelets,” said Steffi Tatum Dite, Red Cross marketing director. “I am profoundly grateful for the Gibson Foundation’s support of the Red Cross in our efforts to promote blood and platelet donation. Their generous donation to our summer campaign is generating a lot of excitement within the organization and will be a big hit with donors. I applaud the Gibson Foundation’s commitment to supporting programs and nonprofit organizations that create a brighter outlook for our communities.”

The Gibson Foundation and Red Cross invite you to donate blood or platelets this summer and help save lives. You’ll feel like a rock star — and so will the patients who receive your lifesaving gift.

Blood drives are sometimes added throughout the month, so check http://www.redcrossblood.com/ for updates. The Dallas-area donation center, located in Farmers Branch at One Medical Parkway, Suite 215, is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How to donate blood

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information, or to make an appointment. Every blood type is needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must have general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with a completed Parental Consent Form). Many donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.

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It’s Hard to Keep a Good Man Down

At age 98, the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor continues saving lives.

In the last 100 years, the world has seen a man walk on the moon, two world wars transpire, the formation of the United Nations and the introduction of LifeSavers candy. While these historical benchmarks are well publicized, another significant event of a “true lifesaver” deserves honor and recognition.

On February 17, 1913, Willard M. Hayne, the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor, was born in Gresham, Oregon. Currently 98 years old, Willard began donating in 1949, just one year after Dr. Carl Walter, a trained surgeon, developed a plastic bag for the collection of blood in place of glass bottles.

“Any chance I can encourage people to donate, I will,” Willard exclaimed. Even later in life, when blood donor regulations limited the upper age limit, Willard returned as a regular donor once the limitation was lifted.

Willard has successfully donated 138 units, eight of which occurred in the last 24 months. Not content to stop at 138 donations, Willard last attempted to give blood in August 2011 and will make another attempt on September 22nd in the Coos Bay area, where he’s been retired (and donating) for the last 18 years.

Willard comes from a history of gratitude and hard work, which is instrumental in his philosophy of blood donation. After retiring from the banking industry, Willard states that he “started from the bottom as a bookkeeper and worked my way up to manager.” He finished his career as bank manager at First National Bank of Oregon in Silverton, which is now a Wells Fargo.

Passing on his donation practice to those around him, Willard has instilled the habit of giving blood in his three children, including a son who has provided directed donations in Minnesota due to his rare blood type. Now that Willard is retired, he’s found friends in fellow blood donors in his retirement community. “I feel grateful that I’m healthy enough to donate. It’s been a blessing to me.”

Beyond donating blood, Willard has also made financial donations to the Red Cross after witnessing how the organization provided emergency services during disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. Although Willard has lived an incredible life of generosity, he is humble when informed of his status as the nation’s oldest American Red Cross blood donor.

“It feels so good to be honored as a donor. I’ve never expected anything in return. You hear about people who need blood and just being able to donate is a gift enough.”

Blood Supply in Texas is in Critical Condition

After months of scorching temperatures, followed by wildfires and hurricanes, the blood supply in Texas is at a critical low. The American Red Cross urges immediate blood donations. Learn more about the immediate need and how you can help save a life.

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Local Blood Supply in Critical Condition

American Red Cross Urges Immediate Donations

After months of scorching temperatures, followed by wildfires and hurricanes, the blood supply in Texas is at a critical low. Donations are needed immediately. In fact, the Red Cross hopes to collect 1,370 units of blood in Texas before the end of the month to ensure that an ample supply is on the shelf before the next emergency. To schedule a blood donation or find a drive in your area, go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The American Red Cross thanks you in advance for your lifesaving gift and for advancing this message to other potential donors.

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