Hi everyone,

My friend and I are putting together an event that will be taking place at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Saturday May 17th 9am-1pm in honor of her daughter (Hailey Kent) who was diagnosed with Leukemia at 3 months.

The event is more like 3 events rolled into one - there will be a Blood Drive (blood will be going to children in need at the CHLA) and a Bone Marrow Registry Drive (with the National Marrow Donor Program) and a Celebrity Autograph Signing Session.

If you live in the LA area or will be visiting the LA area at that time please stop by and consider donating blood or registering to donate marrow.

I've mentioned Hailey Kent on this forum before but for those that didn't see that thread, Baby Hailey's life was literally saved by blood transfusions and a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor. And although she was incredibly blessed to find her life saving match, every single day people in need of either a blood donation or a Bone Marrow transplant die. If you don't already know someone that has been in a situation where they have needed one of these two things to survive, then chances are you will eventually. It could be your child, mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparent, or friend. Right now there is a HUGE shortage of blood and bone marrow donors out there and without them people are dying.


Even those that won't be able to make it to the event can make a difference and help save lives. Please pass this on to your family and friends and let them know about the event. We need at least 25-30 people signed up in advance that would like to donate blood. Just 10 minutes of your time can save another's life! The more people that come to the event the more lives that could be saved!

For more info on the event or how to help, please email us Please email us: GHKidsEvent@yahoo.com and visit our forum for news and updates on the event and to find out what actors/actresses will be there: http://s9.invisionfree.com/Hope_For_Hailey/

* The Children's Hospital Los Angeles would prefer that people sign up in advance if they would like to donate blood. So please email us if you would like to sign up


10 REASONS TO DONATE BLOOD OR REGISTER TO DONATE BONE MARROW

*Donating Blood and Marrow may be two different things but they both have one goal: TO SAVE LIVES*

1. Someone needs blood every two seconds

2. Every year, thousands of adults and children need bone marrow transplants -- a procedure which may be their only chance for survival. Only 3 out of every 10 people that need bone marrow actually get a match. Those that do not get a match inevitably die

3. More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada.

4. Only 30% of patients find their bone marrow match through a sibling, while the other 70% have to look out side their family for a life saving match.

5. One pint of blood can save up to three lives.

6. During a Bone Marrow Transplant donors feel no needle injections and no pain during marrow donation because general or regional anesthesia is always used for this procedure.

7. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types, especially type O.

8. Many patients, especially those from minority groups, cannot find a compatible bone marrow donor among those on the registry.

9. A patient could be forced to pass up a lifesaving organ, if compatible blood is not available to support the transplant.

10. YOU can save a life!