Bonner Springs Chieftain – December 20, 2013
The Bonner Springs Fired Department and its Relay For Life team, Firefighters Fighting for a Cure, are again holding a biscuits and gravy breakfast fundraiser and a second annual Haley Bernard Honorary Blood Drive.
The blood drive will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Bonner Springs Fire/EMS Station, 13001 Metropolitan Ave. The breakfast will be offered from 7 to 11 a.m. the same day at the department, with a fee of $7 for adults and $5 for children aged 6-11. All funds will be given to the Relay For Life.
Haley Bernard is daughter of a Bonner Springs firefighter and last year was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, a blood cancer, prompting the first annual event. She is now in kindergarten at Bonner Springs Elementary School, but she has had a relapse of her illness.
Lindsley Bernard, Haley’s mother, said Haley had been doing well since receiving an infusion of umbilical cord blood from her newborn sister in January.
“Until a few weeks ago, Haley had been responding well to treatments … and getting back to the life of a normal 5 year old,” she said. “Recently, she exhibited some saddening signs; a low platelet count, swollen toes and unexplained rashes. Doctors have confirmed Haley had relapsed with JMML.”
The Bernard family reports that Haley has begun treatment to prepare her for another bone marrow transplant.
“We know that blood is life and that we have a duty as community-minded citizens to do our part, we are ready to help those who may need the precious gift of blood,” Lyndsley Bernard said. “We hope the citizens of Bonner Springs and the surrounding area will come out and join us at this life-saving event.”
The firefighters’ goal is to beat the amount of blood collected — 166 units — and funds raised — $1,000 — at last year’s event.
Visit the CBC’s website at savealifenow.org to make an appointment online, using the sponsor code “Haley.” Donors can also contact Teresa Hubbel at 913-522-5330 for additional details.
The Be the Match National Marrow Registry will be a part of the drive registering people. Contact LaGail Chism at 816-645-3560 for details on how to register as a bone marrow donor.
Blood donors must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent, weigh a minimum of 115 pounds and be in good health.
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