Letter to the Editor: Blood Roundup

Posted 11/17/20

In 2010, Jim and Stephani Cannon shared the story of their daughter Brittany’s...

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Letter to the Editor: Blood Roundup

Posted

In order to promote awareness of the upcoming 15th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup to be held at the Freshman Campus Auditorium this weekend, Nov. 21 and 22, we share stories of local Okeechobee folks who have received donations of blood and the difference it made in their lives.

In 2010, Jim and Stephani Cannon shared the story of their daughter Brittany’s battle with leukemia and her need for donated blood. During the course of her battle, Brittany received over 80 units of blood and platelets. They appreciate the efforts of the “Big Red Bus” employees who made sure blood was on hand for Brittany and the many people who donated the blood. Today, Brittany is 21 years old with a child of her own. Her story from 2010 follows.

Brittany Cannon is 11 years old and attends Osceola Middle School. When she was 8, Brittany was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). During the course of treatment, Brittany spent five months on a feeding tube. She has been home for two years and doing well after finishing the treatment for her disease two months ago. As with all leukemia victims, Brittany received many units of blood and platelets because she suffered from anemia that is caused by ALL.

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow, the spongy center of the bones that makes blood cells. In leukemia, abnormal white blood cells divide out of control and crowd out the normal cells in the bloodstream. The abnormal white blood cells are immature and cannot carry out their infection-fighting function in the blood. These cells crowd out healthy white blood cells, red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body and platelets that cause the blood to clot. T-lymphocytes are cells that signal orders to other white blood cells to come to a germ and remain with the germ. With T-cell ALL, these T-lymphocytes grow out of control.

The primary treatment for ALL is combination chemotherapy that consists of three phases: induction, consolidation and maintenance. Total therapy lasts from two to three years.

Please thank Brittany and her parents for sharing her story from 2010 by donating the gift of life — your blood — at the 15th Annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup on Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Freshman Campus Auditorium. All blood donors will receive a commemorative Roundup T-shirt, a $10 gift card and a $5 Golden Corral certificate. Make an appointment on line at OneBlood.org.

Susan Williams
Okeechobee Blood Roundup volunteer

blood roundup, letter to the editor, brittany cannon

Comments

x