The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
While many children have spent the summer swimming, Sammy Giltner, 8, and Savannah Dallas, 5, have endured chemotherapy treatments.
Both of these Valdosta children have leukemia. Both were diagnosed last year. Both undergo treatments at home as well as in Jacksonville. Both missed many days of school because of treatments. Both plan to continue to their next grades this coming school year.
And both have needed blood transfusions to keep their young bodies fighting, to keep them alive.
Sammy has needed two blood transfusions. Savannah has needed more blood transfusions and platelet transfusions.
This week, Quota International of Valdosta and the South Georgia Sam’s RV Club host a blood drive in honor of these two youngsters.
By honoring these two youngsters, organizers hope to remind people that donating blood saves lives. It saves lives of people of all ages.
Blood donations give those in need the opportunity to live another day or, in the case of these two young people, the chance to live for many more years. Savannah’s father shared how his daughter has had to wait for a transfusion on some occasions because there wasn’t enough blood for her 5-year-old body.
She shouldn’t have to wait. No child should. No patient should.
Donating blood could make the difference between waiting and not having to wait. It could mean the difference between life and death.
Quota International and South Georgia Rivers Sam’s RV Club host a blood drive in honor of Savannah Dallas and Samuel Giltner, 2-7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, CrossPointe Church, 110 Northside Drive.
