FORT MILL --
The power to make a difference in the lives of others is in our blood, says Martin Grable, the CEO of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. Volunteers can use that power at a blood drive today at the Village Hall in Baxter Village.
The blood drive is hosted by The Helping Hands of Baxter Village in honor of two Fort Mill girls undergoing treatment for cancer - Libby Kern and Justine Seibel.
Libby, who is almost 3, was diagnosed with a brain tumor of the optic nerve when she was 19 months old. The tumor has caused total vision loss in her left eye. After unsuccessful surgery last year, the tumor was deemed inoperable and too invasive for radiation.
Libby has weekly chemotherapy treatments, which are expected to continue for more than a year. The goal is to keep the tumor from growing until Libby is old enough for radiation, which doctors say could be around age 7 or 8, said her mother, Kelly Kern.
"We have the best minds on the case," she said, "so we just have to go with what they are telling us to do."
Chemotherapy typically takes around three to four hours each week, Kern said, and leaves Libby feeling sick for a day or two.
"She'll be 3 next month, so she doesn't understand the feeling of nausea," Kern said. "It scares her. It's a nightmare for about 36 hours after chemo, and then she is a normal, crazy toddler."
Justine, 13, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010. Since then, she has had more than 200 doses of chemotherapy, 55 blood and platelet transfusions, six bone marrow aspirations and 20 lumbar punctures. In the next year, her treatment will include MRIs, spinal injections, daily oral chemotherapy and steroids, monthly chemotherapy and possibly surgery.
Justine hasn't let cancer keep her away from activities she loves. She has been on the Baxter Barracudas swim team for six years, including last year when she swam in three meets and served as a junior swim coach - all while undergoing weekly chemo treatments. She is a junior black belt and enjoys Tai Chi.
The Helping Hands of Baxter Village is a group of Baxter residents who organize meals, house cleaning, car rides and other needs for families in times of need. The group has several service projects each year. This year, the group decided to include the blood drive.
"Many people in our community know both Justine and Libby; everyone is looking for a way to help," said Helping Hands co-chairwoman Sarah Sales. "We thought this was a great opportunity to honor the battle they are fighting while helping them and many others."
Donors today can sign up for the bone marrow registry. For more information about the registry, go to www.marrow.org.
