'Bright, Spirited,' 4-Year-Old Battling Rare Disease Inspires A Special Blood Drive

NEWBURGH, NY — An inspirational Hudson Valley child is hoping that her story will lead others to make a small effort that could help save a life.

New York Blood Center (NYBC) is hosting a special blood drive on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Resorts World Hudson Valley.

The blood drive will be held in honor of Emily Watt-Geigel, a courageous young girl living with a rare and incurable disease.

Emily is described as a bright, spirited four-year-old who has spent much of her life in hospitals undergoing treatments.

Her family recently learned that a bone marrow transplant is no longer an option, and Emily continues to receive therapies every other week, some requiring plasma donations. The Watt-Geigel family is encouraging the Newburgh community to schedule an appointment to donate blood to ensure patients who rely on life-saving blood products, like Emily, receive the same life-saving support.

The drive will take place at Resorts World Hudson Valley, at the Newburgh Mall, Entrance 4 hallway.

The timing of this community blood drive couldn't be more fortuitous.

Blood donations often drop in the summer due to school breaks, vacations, and busy summer schedules, but this year's decline is steeper than anticipated, particularly of types O- and B- blood. Type O-negative is especially vital because it is the universal blood type used in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient's blood type. Summer is also known as "trauma season" because injuries and accidents tend to rise with more daylight and outdoor activities, increasing the need for blood. Nearly 25 percent of trauma patients require blood transfusions for treatment.

It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit the NYBC website or call 1-800-688-0900.

To make an appointment at this blood drive, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit this link. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a life-saving impact by supporting NYBC's mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more.