Press release:
Theo was an active kindergarten student at Amherst Central School who suddenly became very sick. He had a rare autoimmune disorder that caused spontaneous bleeding.
Theo was dying. He needed a blood transfusion, but the platelet transfusion didn’t help. Next the doctors decided to administer an immunoglobulin transfusion, a special blood product that is made from the plasma of at least 1,000 donors.
This helped a great deal, but Theo wasn’t completely recovered. He needed one more platelet transfusion before he completely recovered. Now he is an active 8-year-old who is looking forward to being in the third grade.
It took 1,002 donors to provide the blood components that saved Theo. Now he and his family would like to thank those donors with a campaign to replace the blood that was used for Theo – 1,002 units, plus one to “pay it forward.”
Batavia’s Mega Blood Drive today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel sponsored by The Bank of Castile is part of the effort to help Theo’s family raise 1,003 units of blood. Theo and his mom, Gina Bellavia, visited Batavia to speak to community organizers who met at The Bank of Castile to plan for the drive.
“I couldn’t believe more than 1,000 people had donated their blood to give my son another chance at life,” said Gina. “Blood donors are super heroes to Theo and our family.”
All donors at the drive will receive a T-shirt that says they are part of Theo’s Super Hero campaign. Local businesses have joined together to encourage employees to donate.
Walk-ins are welcome.
“We can help many people and organizations by donating money, but the need for blood is one thing that money can’t buy,” said Gregg McAllister from The Bank of Castile. “Red Cross reports indicate that there is a shortage of blood this summer, so every donation is very important.”
The Batavia Mega Blood Drive has consistently been the largest drive conducted in Genesee County each year.
“We know Genesee County residents care for their neighbors. A blood drive is a time when they literally roll up their sleeves to help others. That’s why Genesee County is a great place to live,” McAllister concluded.
