From the Community Blood Center:

Kansas City, Mo. (May 10, 2011)--Community Blood Center (CBC) and Ryan Rucker, an eleven year-old Topeka-area child, will sponsor a community blood drive known as “Give Generously for Jessica” Tuesday, May 17 at Countryside United Methodist Church located at 3221 SW Burlingame Road in Topeka from Noon – 6:00 p.m. This event is a blood drive that is open to all community-minded citizens who are eligible to donate their life-saving blood.

The blood drive is in honor of Jessica Seidel, a local child, who was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis at age 2 and has been tube fed since she was 7. In March 2008 Jessica was also diagnosed with Hemphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare blood disease effecting 1 in 1,000,000. She now needs regular blood transfusions as she continues to fight the battle against these two diseases. Ryan Rucker, who also has Eosinophilic, wants to create awareness of the disease which can be debilitating for those who suffer from it.

CBC Vice President of Donor and Hospital Services, David Graham, hopes the Topeka community can come out and support Jessica and her family at this blood drive. “Jessica is a true champion in every sense of the word. She continues to fight the good fight against her illnesses and remains upbeat and happy every step of the way. She is a great role model for many other kids and even adults who battle against the odds. We have a daily goal of collecting 580 units of blood to help supply local hospital patients like Jessica. We hope to have many people come out on May 17th to support Jessica and her family with a blood donation in her honor.”

Visit the CBC’s website at www.savealifenow.org to make an appointment online and use sponsor code generouslyforjessica or call Ryan Rucker at 785.478.2882 for additional details on how you can donate your life-saving blood.

The requirements for a blood donor are few. You must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent, weigh a minimum of 115 pounds and be in good health.

Did you know?

· Every 3.9 minutes someone receives a blood transfusion

· It takes less than an hour to donate whole blood

· Whole blood has a 42-day shelf life which creates a constant demand on the supply.

· You can donate whole blood every 56 days

· When you donate at your Community Blood Center, you Save a Life. Right Here, Right Now.

Community Blood Center is the local non-profit supplier of blood services for 70 hospitals throughout Kansas City, Jefferson City, St. Joseph, Lawrence and Topeka. The Community Blood Center is a member of America’s Blood Centers, a national network of independent blood centers that provides over half of the nation’s blood supply; the AABB, and the Blood Centers of America.