Lexington Cancer Survivor Raises Awareness About Giving Blood

Four years ago, 4-year-old Lexington resident Seth Ewing had just been diagnosed with an agressive and uncommon form of childhood leukemia.

The disease wreaked havoc on his young body, and for several months, he was unable to walk or eat solid food.

As part of his three years of treatment, the Midway Elementary School student received more than 120 blood and platelet transfusions. Thanks in part to the generosity of blood and platelet donors, his health has greatly improved, and he is looking forward to celebrating this holiday season with his parents, Gary and Trina, and his little sister, Savvy.

Ewing and his family are encouraging others to help patients by donating blood to the American Red Cross during the "Day After Christmas Blood Drive" on Dec. 26. 

“We are grateful to Seth and his family for sharing his miraculous story to help raise awareness about the need for blood donations,” said Ryan Corcoran, chief executive officer for the Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region. “Only when volunteer donors make time to help save a life can we be sure that blood is available for patients like Seth who are in need."

The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 26 at the following locations: 

• Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
• Walmart Garners Ferry (blood mobile), 7520 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia
• Dutch Square Shopping Center, 421 Bush River Road, Columbia

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: SETH.

Information provided by the American Red Cross.