LAS VEGAS — Sarah Hansen’s family is using their personal tragedy to rally the community around a vital cause. Her daughter Savannah was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia just ten days after birth. In the first eight months of her life, Savannah required more than 30 blood and platelet transfusions to survive.
Why blood donations matter
Every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs blood. Cancer patients, especially those battling blood cancers, are among the most frequent recipients. Roughly one in three transfusions nationwide goes to a person fighting cancer, and platelets are a critical component of many treatment protocols.
Holiday season call to action
With the holiday season approaching, local blood centers are warning that donations often dip as schedules fill up. The Hansen family urges Las Vegas residents not to let busy calendars delay a life‑saving act. “Donating blood or platelets can be the difference between life and death for families like ours,” Sarah said.
Most healthy adults are eligible to donate, and every blood type is needed. O‑negative blood can be given to any patient, while O‑positive blood serves about 85 % of the population, making it the most common and valuable type in the United States.
How to donate
Donors can schedule appointments online through the local blood center’s website. The process typically takes less than an hour, and donors receive a small snack and a token of appreciation after giving. Platelet donations, which take longer, are especially scarce and can be scheduled separately.
Sarah’s story underscores a broader national need, but the immediate appeal is local. By stepping forward this December, Las Vegas residents can help ensure that children like Savannah receive the transfusions they need without delay.
Community response
Local churches, civic groups, and businesses have already pledged to host donation drives in the coming weeks. The community’s faith‑based and family‑focused values align with the life‑saving mission of blood donation, reinforcing the principle that caring for the vulnerable is a shared responsibility.
For more information or to book a donation slot, visit the blood center’s appointment page.
Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
