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| Blood drive in memory of Liam Ison |
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12/19/2014
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
The family of Liam Ison, aka “Legendary Liam,” is encouraging the community to give blood in his memory this Friday at the Montgomery County Health Dept.
Liam received countless blood transfusions while undergoing treatment for congenital heart defects. He had five open heart surgeries during the course of his 2 and a half year life that ended May 24.
Liam’s mother, Becky, said the family knows all to well the importance of an available blood supply.
She told the Advocate that she contacted the Red Cross about having a blood drive in his memory for that very reason.
“We wanted to do it in memory of him and we know there’s a great need, not only with heart kids, but with people who’ve been in car wrecks and sometimes cancer patients need blood transfusions,” Becky Ison said. “This is not something you can go to Walmart and get.
“Liam was a special, happy, fun child who brought joy to everyone around him,” she added. “We know blood is not something you can go out and buy. It has to come from generous donors. We hope people will be inspired to give in Liam’s memory.”
The winter months can be among the most challenging times of the year for the Red Cross to collect enough blood donations for a number of reasons, Red Cross spokeswoman Lindsay English said.
Many donors are busy with holiday activities, and inclement weather can force the cancellation of blood drives, English said.
Additionally, some donors become temporarily ineligible because of seasonal illnesses, like the flu. But, the need is constant; patients do not get a holiday from needing donated blood, she said.
Friday’s blood drive will be 2-7 p.m. The health dept. is located at 106 E. Locust St.
To make an appointment to donate, call 800-RED Cross (800-733-2767), visit redcrossblood.org or download the Red Cross Blood Donor app. Walk-ins are also welcome.
All blood types are needed.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are
in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Becky Ison continues efforts to raise awareness about congenital heart defects through the Legendary Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization started in honor of Liam.
You can go on the organization’s Facebook page to get information about fundraising or mail a check to the Legendary Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 1270, Mt. Sterling, Ky., 40353.
Money raised will go toward congenital heart defect research.
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