Boy's Need For Blood Transfusions Sheds Light On Donations

The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected people all over the world and has drastically changed the way we live our lives along with stay at home orders and businesses slowly starting to reopen. For places like Memorial Blood Center the need for blood donations did not stop and one child's medical journey brings this issue to light.

According to KBJR "According to Memorial Blood Centers, every one out of three people will need a blood donation in their lifetime, from natural disasters to life-long health battles. For 12-year-old Anders Breidenbach of Duluth, donations from the community have given him the strength to take on numerous cancer battles."

Anders was born with a gene mutation called RB1 which makes him more vulnerable to develop tumors. So throughout his life span he will always be at risk for various types of cancers. Ander's mom Gini told KBJR "As a baby, he had retinoblastoma and was in treatment from nine months until he was almost two. He's been used to medical procedures for as long as he can remember."

This past March Anders was diagnosed with osteosarcoma which is a rare type of bone cancer. Dr.'s found a tumor in his right leg which had to be removed along with multiple rounds of chemotherapy. With these surgeries comes a need for blood donations.

Michele Keil, account manager for Memorial Blood Centers, explained with more blood drives being able to be held with new safety precautions in place, the opportunity to collect donations and help people like Anders is making a comeback.

To learn more about about Anders journey click here for his Caring Bridge site.