UPPER BURRELL, Pa. – As the first donors signed in for Penn State New Kensington’s community blood drive on Oct. 29, they received a surprise greeting from 9-year-old Isabella “Bella” Carabin-Lindgren. Bella was the beneficiary of the campus’ semiannual drive.
Bella was on campus to show her appreciation to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community for their blood donations that will help her ongoing treatments for brain cancer. She hugged the first campus donor, Kaitlin Bell, a second-year radiological sciences major.
“I want to thank you for donating blood to me and helping me to get better,” said Bella, who is undergoing treatment at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.
“It was so sweet that Bella was there,” said Bell, a native of Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Accompanied by her grandmother, Ellen Carabin, Bella talked with the early donors and set out thank-you cards for the later donors. The cards featured Bella’s photo on the cover, information about her and the battle with pediatric cancer on the inside front cover, and a signed note from Bella on the inside back cover. The note read, “Thank you for donating blood for me. I will pray for you for helping me; please pray for me that I get better. I hope that I get to meet you someday.” It was signed Bella, and she drew a heart and hugs and kisses symbols.
Two of Bell’s radiological sciences classmates, Samantha Smith and Mikala Bodle, were a part of the initial group of donors. When they arrived in the campus art gallery, which served as the donating area, they were thrilled to have the chance to meet the young girl who would be helped by their donations.
“I was very happy to meet her before I donated,” said Smith, who was raised in the borough of Marion Center in Indiana County. “She is a strong little girl, and it was very sweet of her to thank us.”
A fourth-grader at Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington, Bella was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma when she was 10 months old. Through rigorous treatments, including a stem cell transplant, chemotherapy and numerous blood transfusions, Bella was in remission for eight years.
During a routine exam in May, doctors discovered that the disease had returned. After undergoing brain surgery, Bella began chemotherapy in June, which she will continue for 36 to 52 weeks. The campus blood helps replenish the supply used for Bella’s transfusions.
Ewing's sarcoma is a primary bone cancer that affects mainly children and adolescents. According to the American Cancer Society, it is rare, accounting for only one percent of all childhood cancers. Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in teens and less common among young adults and young children, and rare in older adults. According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, about 70 percent of children with Ewing's sarcoma are cured.
While many in the campus community regularly donate blood, Bella’s cause made their giving experience even more meaningful. The fall drive was especially gratifying for Smith and Rachel Lojas, a junior with a double major in biomedical engineering technology and electro-mechanical engineering technology, and a regular at campus blood drives.
“It’s always a good idea to donate to the blood drive,” said Smith, who will graduate in May. “But it’s really nice when you are specifically donating to help someone.”
“Donating is important because you never know when it could be you that needs blood,” said Lojas, an all-conference catcher on the campus softball team. “So I hope if I was in that situation, people would show the same generosity and donate.”
Another regular donor is Trevor Arnott, a structural engineering major. The Verona native says he usually donates at the campus blood drives because he “enjoys helping people.”
The campus drive also brought in a wave of new donors who rallied around Bella. Many first-time participants, like Bell, expect to become regulars.
“I read about the blood drive online and just decided it would be a good idea,” said Bell, who came to the New Kensington campus because of the quality of the radiological sciences program. “I will definitely donate again in the spring.”
The staff of the Central Blood Bank collected 40 units of blood at the campus, which has a strong history of giving back to the community. In the past 10 years, the campus has donated nearly 900 units of blood for use in the local area. Blood drives are held during the spring and fall semesters.
Bella’s situation was familiar to many campus students, especially those on the THON committee. Finding a cure for pediatric cancer is a top priority for Penn State’s THON organization, a student-run organization that raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund and the fight against pediatric cancer. Formally known as the Penn State Interfraternity Council/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon, THON takes place in February. Students from all Penn State campuses gather at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus and stay on their feet for 48 hours to bring awareness to the disease and to fund raise for cancer research. First held in 1973, THON has raised nearly $115 million. THON 2015 is set for Feb. 20 to 22.
Although the blood drive at Penn State New Kensington was a one-day event, there are still opportunities for donors to help Bella with her battle. Anyone wishing to donate on her behalf can visit a Central Blood Bank location and use Bella’s blood bank account number, ZRTN 0069. Central Blood Bank has 25 donor centers and fixed sites throughout western Pennsylvania, including locations in Natrona Heights, Monroeville and downtown Pittsburgh.
The blood drives are organized by Elaine Zarichnak, campus nurse. The spring drive is set for April 1. Donors are eligible again in 56 days after giving, so they do not have to wait until the spring drive to donate again.
For more information on donating at the Central Blood Bank, visit http://www.centralbloodbank.org/donate-blood
(William Woodard is the alumni and public relations specialist for Penn State New Kensington and Jenna Swank is an intern in the public relations office.)