Blood drive for Hannah

St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church will be hosting a blood drive for Hannah, granddaughter of St. Jacob’s members Stanley and Lucy. Hannah had an elevated heart rate and went to Parkridge Baptist Hospital October 29, 2017. While there, her platelet count was down to 2000 (normal range is (150,000-450,000) which required her first transfusion. The transfusions continued and on October 30 she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, which is a rare disease in which the bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells that reside there destroy themselves. Hannah was referred to Levine Cancer Center in Charlotte and started receiving treatments as well as regular blood and platelet transfusions. Hannah estimates that since being diagnosed, she has received over 170 units of blood and platelets.
The St. Jacob’s congregation has been with Hannah from the beginning. The Lutheran Women provided various gift baskets during her earlier hospitalization. The Lutheran Men, the Lutheran Women and the Outreach Team also provided monetary donations. Of course, many prayers have been offered. Phyllis, President of the Lutheran Women, says, “Hannah is one of the strongest and bravest people I know. She has been through so much but doesn’t complain about her condition and is very upbeat. She has a very positive outlook.” Information on Hannah’s personal journey can be found at ‘Hannah’s Healing’ on Facebook. The St. Jacob’s Church Council approved the use of the Fellowship Hall for a blood drive. The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas from Charlotte will send staff to St. Jacob’s on Monday, October 29 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. to conduct the drive. The goal of the drive is a minimum of 50 units of blood. St. Jacob’s will be joined in this drive by Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Pomaria and St. Matthews Lutheran Church, also in Pomaria.
More information will be provided about appointments at a later date.