NEW GLARUS - Seventeen years ago, day-old Molly Heller, and her mother, Karla, both received a blood transfusion after doctors performed an emergency Caesarian section. On the same day at a neighboring hospital in Madison, Molly's aunt, Kristy Nodorft, received a platelet transfusion while undergoing chemotherapy.
This holiday season, Molly will roll up her sleeve to help others in need at the American Red Cross New Glarus Holiday Blood Drive Friday, Dec. 23. The blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at New Glarus Bible Church, 207 6th St.
"I received blood when I was younger and now that I'm eligible to donate, I want to give blood to help others," said Molly, a junior at Belleville High School.
Molly was diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome accompanied by anemia. After spending several days in an intensive care unit, she and her mother were released from the hospital with a clean bill of health; Molly's aunt lost her battle with acute myelomonoeytic leukemia. In just six months, Kristy received 221 pints of red blood cells and plasma while undergoing chemotherapy.
Today, Karen Nodorft, Kristy's mother and Molly's grandmother, serves as a Red Cross volunteer helping coordinate blood drives in New Glarus throughout the year.
To donate blood, call (800) 733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.
This holiday season, Molly will roll up her sleeve to help others in need at the American Red Cross New Glarus Holiday Blood Drive Friday, Dec. 23. The blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at New Glarus Bible Church, 207 6th St.
"I received blood when I was younger and now that I'm eligible to donate, I want to give blood to help others," said Molly, a junior at Belleville High School.
Molly was diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome accompanied by anemia. After spending several days in an intensive care unit, she and her mother were released from the hospital with a clean bill of health; Molly's aunt lost her battle with acute myelomonoeytic leukemia. In just six months, Kristy received 221 pints of red blood cells and plasma while undergoing chemotherapy.
Today, Karen Nodorft, Kristy's mother and Molly's grandmother, serves as a Red Cross volunteer helping coordinate blood drives in New Glarus throughout the year.
To donate blood, call (800) 733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.
